CHRIS Higgs hits the comeback trail on Friday night after a nightmare 18 months out of the ring.

Welterweight Chris, who has just turned 24, takes on Bulgarian Danny Dontchev at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon.

If Chris needed any extra motivation for his comeback he got it this month, with two sparring partners winning British and Commonwealth titles.

Lee Selby – who Chris beat as an amateur – knocked out Liverpool's Steve Smith to pull off a major upset and win the British and Commonwealth featherweight title belts.

Then, last Saturday night, Gary Buckland took the British super featherweight title off Gary Sykes by gaining a points decision in Sheffield.

Higgs, Selby and Buckland are all trained by Tony Borg in Newport.

Chris's father Bryan said: "If all goes well this Friday Chris will probably fight again in Newport on October 29.

"We'd love to get a crack at the British Masters title this season.

"Danny Dontchev is a tough kid and it's a dangerous fight to take, but that's what we have to do right now. All boxers are dangerous because it only takes one punch to put you in trouble."

Chris last fought in April 2010 and has won seven out of seven as a professional.

However, he was admitted to hospital after his hard fought victory against Mark McCullough, then subsequently referred to a neurologist because of double vision in his left eye.

He was diagnosed with a weak superior oblique muscle in his eye and only recently satisfied the boxing authorities that he was fit to fight again.

Bryan said: "Chris has got an incredible following, I can't believe how many people support him and we've already sold more than 100 tickets ourselves for Friday.

"I honestly believe he's fitter than ever.

"I was working with him on the pads and he did 10x3 minute rounds, with 150-190 shots per round.

"He's champing at the bit to get back.

"He had his first fight as an 11-year-old and he's never been out of the ring this long before."