BLACKBURN boxer Dezzi Higginson returns to the ring next Saturday to relaunch his bid to become one of England's top lightweights.

The 27-year-old is back in action when he challenges Rotherham-based Jon Baguley at the Castle Leisure Centre in Bury, Greater Manchester.

It is Higginson's first fight since a disappointing English lightweight title defeat to Martin Gethin in January, when the Blackburn Rovers supporter suffered a perforated left eardrum.

Initially, there was fears that 'Dezzi', whose real name is Graeme, may have been out of action for up to nine month if he required ear surgery.

But thankfully, there was no serious damage and Higginson is desperate to prove a point after losing to Gethin.

"I want to get straight back into it and back into title contention," said Higginson, who is part of the Ricky Hatton stable.

"I don't think I did myself justice against Martin Gethin. I thought I did better than the judges scored it. My gameplan was working but my balance went after injuring my ear.

"It's one of those things, but now it's great to be back after three or four months out of the ring."

Higginson, who trains at the Fit2XL Gym in Lower Darwen, added: "This is a good fight for me. Jon Baguley has got a mixed record, but he's a rangy, awkward fighter with good pedigree.

"Hopefully, with a good win under my belt, and perhaps another fight in the near future, I can go for a belt again."

Higginson is fighting on the undercard of the super-bantamweight clash between Bury's unbeaten rising star Scott Quigg and Russian veteran Andrey Kostin.

Tickets, priced between £25 and £75, are available by contacting Dezzi on 07834 355890 or his trainer Barry on 07944 574056.