CHRIS Higgs made a winning return to the ring at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon on Friday night (pictured).

Higgs, out of action for 18 months with a serious eye problem, beat the tough Bulgarian Danny Dontchev on points, but it was far from easy.

Higgs sustained a small cut on the top of his right eye in the second round (six x two minute rounds).

In the fifth round he sustained a much more serious cut on top of his left eye which needed six stitches.

It was touch and go whether the referee was going to let the fight continue, but Higgs kept his opponent at bay during the sixth round to get the decision – his eighth professional win out of eight.

Higgs looks set to remain at welterweight and his next fight is likely to be at Newport Leisure Centre on November 26 on the undercard of Gary Buckland's British super featherweight title defence.

The Sky Sports cameras will be televising Buckland's fight and some of the evening's other bouts.