Dean edged a tight contest against West Ham boxer Mickey Coveney 96-95, on the referee's scoring, in Dagenham on Saturday.
The two fighters are sparring partners at the Peacock Gym in Canning Town, but in the end Dean's superior boxing skills overcame the raw aggression of his opponent.
Dean, 26, said: "Mickey caught me with some good, big shots in the second round, stiffened my legs a few times, but I knew I could weather the storm. He upped his game, boxed clever and was a better fighter than I gave him credit for.
"The British title is definitely the next step. It is just what route I want to take to get there.
"There are some good fighters out there with the likes of Ian Napa and Marc Callaghan, all boys who have done the circuit.
"I'll just sit down with my trainer and see where we take it."
Dean, a five-year professional, admitted he tried to fight fire with fire in the early rounds, before his trainer John Humphrey intervened.
"Coveney wanted me to stand in front of him and have a war," said Dean, "and in the first couple of rounds I said 'okay, let's have it' but John told me to behave myself and out-box him.
"I think the jab did it for me."
Bury-born Dean may now turn his attentions to Hartlepool's British super-bantamweight champion Michael Hunter, and said it was a more comfortable weight for him than featherweight.
Humphrey was pleased with his charge's performance.
"Rocky was coming on strong as the fight wore on but I didn't believe he was going to come out on top unless he won the last three rounds, which he did," said Humphrey.
"I think his best two fights have been his last two. He beat Jim Betts, who is a quality fighter who has fought for British titles before, and Rocky boxed superbly in that bout.
"He's improving all the time and we will go where the opportunity is offered," added the New Astley Club manager.