Hightower is back!
Chris Burton will make his ring return in May with a bout in Darlington on Steve Wraith’s show at the Dolphin Centre.
The powerful heavyweight, now 37, has not boxed since February 2012, when he lost to Jon Lewis Dickinson in Aberdeen.
But Wraith has announced that the 6ft 5in giant, pictured left with Simon Vallily, will be part of the undercard of Ellis Corrie’s Challenge Belt North-East derby against Basi Razak.
Wraith said: “I’m delighted to announce that the professional boxing show in Darlington on May 26 will now include the return of Hightower himself.
“Chris has been out of the ring for a good few years now but is back and has a lot to offer still.
“He is in the shape of his life, he has kept his head down and worked hard for the last 8-10 months towards this and has been looking great in sparring.
“I’m very happy for him.”
Burton now boxes out of the DBMA Gym in Darlington under coach Pete Shepperson and under the management of the excellent Michael Marsden.
His second professional appearance in his home town will be Burton’s 18th paid contest, having racked up 15 wins under the Dave Garside and Neil Fannan banner, six coming inside the distance, losing only twice.
Burton made his pro debut back in 2005 after reaching the ABA Championship semi-finals with Hartlepool’s Headland club.
He stayed in Hartlepool after leaving the amateur ranks, training at Fannan’s thriving Brierton gym and under the management of ex-British and Commonwealth heavyweight and cruiser star Garside.
It proved a very successful alliance with Burton winning his first 13 fights before losing in the final of the 2008 heavyweight Prizefighter to Sam Sexton.
That first professional defeat was somewhat unlucky, with Chris rushed straight back in the ring for the final after a thrilling semi victory over Dave Ingleby.
The fresher Sexton, having enjoyed a half-hour breather, stopped a fatigued Hightower late in the final.
Burton had the best part of two years out before announcing in the summer of 2011 he was going to campaign at cruiserweight.
Unfortunately, it proved a bridge too far and he was stopped in the second round by Dickinson at the Exhibition Centre in Aberdeen.
Now, he’s back and will end a near six-and-a-half year hiatus at the Dolphin Centre in May.
Words: Roy Kelly
