LYDNEY boxer Chris Higgs faces a second operation on his left eye in order to save his pro career.

The 22-year-old recently underwent an operation on his troublesome eye after complaining of double vision. He was also referred to a neurologist for a brain scan.

The operation on the superior oblique muscle in the eye was a success, but Higgs now faces a second op because he still has double vision when he looks to the floor.

His father Bryan explained: "The eye is bloodshot but things are much better than they were.

"Chris couldn't even run before the op because the eye was literally bouncing up and down so he couldn't focus.

"The brain scan showed everything else was fine and Chris has still got his boxing licence."

Higgs is back training hard, but ring work is out of the question until mid-February at the earliest.

The former Whitecross School pupil (pictured), has won seven out of seven as a professional and was being lined-up for a shot at the British Masters title this summer. The Masters is only one belt down from the British title.

Higgs has had some bruising encounters as a fledgling pro and was admitted to hospital after his last fight in April, a single point victory over Mark McCullough in Swindon. He suffered severe swelling to the side of his head and a nasty cheekbone injury, dubbing the fight the 'toughest of his life'.

Dad Bryan said: "Chris is managed by Brian Powell, whose only other fighter is Gary Buckland, the recent Prize Fighter winner on Sky TV.

"Gary is boxing for the European title and if he wins it, he'll defend in Newport in March. Brian wants Chris to fight on the same card, which would probably be televised on Sky.

"That's something for us to aim at."

Since being out of action, Chris has put on almost a stone in weight, rising to 11 stones. The young builder has also suffered various other setbacks – splitting his cheek in a fall down some stairs, breaking his ankle at work and also hurting his foot in another freak accident.

"He's hurt himself more often at work than in the ring," said Bryan.

"What's meant to be is meant to be, so Chris just has to be patient.

"The Masters title is still something we're working towards."