Chris Burton is back – and it’s a great sight to see.
Six years and three months since he last taped up those massive gloves, the Darlington giant, known as ‘Hightower’, returns against Romanian Gheorghe Danut.
Fittingly, his comeback is in his hometown where Steve Wraith promotes a seven-fight spectacular at the Dolphin Centre.
Burton has not been inside the square ring since he was stopped inside two rounds by Jon Lewis Dickinson in Aberdeen in his bold move to cruiserweight.
Now, the big fella is back home in more ways than one as he resumes his career in the heavies.
Burton was beaten only once in his division, an exciting final defeat to Sam Sexton in the 2008 Prizefighter final in Newcastle.
His record, a fine 15-2, with six of his wins by stoppage, was achieved in Hartlepool under Dave Garside and Neil Fannan and he had some cracking wins, notably against Franklin Egobi, Lee Swaby and Mathew Ellis.
But now he’s back in Darlington, coached by Pete Shepperson and managed by Wraith.
“He’s in great shape and has looked good in sparring, he’s done quite a bit with Dave Allan in Leeds and lots of rounds with Simon Vallily, whose fighting for the English title soon,” said Pete. “He doesn’t look like a 37-year-old.
“He’s sharp, he’s very fit physically.
“Chris is not coming back to fight Tyson Fury or anything like that.
“But he’s happy to go out on the road and box anyone, anywhere.
“At the same time he’s very capable of causing an upset and he’s very capable of picking up a title along the way.”
There are two mouthwatering derbies at the top of the bill at the Dolphin Centre.
Darlington’s Ellis Corrie will face Newcastle’s Basi Razak for the British Promoters Challenge belt at welterweight over eight rounds while Ferryhill’s Richard O’Neill meets Greg O’Neil, from Hartlepool, over six at middleweight.
Troy Williamson, Mark Downing, Luke Cope and Martin Ward complete the cast list.
There are a limited number of tickets remaining and they will be available on the door at the Dolphin Centre. Doors open at 6.30pm with he action starting at 7pm.
Words: Roy Kelly
