BLACKBURN’S Dezzi Higginson is facing up to the “biggest fight of his life” as he attempts to catch the eye of boxing great Ricky Hatton.

The 27-year-old has enjoyed a promising start to his professional career after landing the British Masters light welterweight crown back in December 2007.

But there could be greater prizes ahead for the former Pleckgate High School student with victory at the Manchester Velodrome on Saturday, August 21.

Higginson is one of several fighters taking to the ring for a night of boxing billed ‘The Boys Are Back In Town’.

The event is being run by Hatton Promotions – the company owned by the legendary Mancunian – with the emphasis on showcasing the best young talents in Britain.

And with the ‘Hitman’ running the rule over each Velodrome fight, Higginson admits it is a golden opportunity to become a permanent member of the Hatton stable.

“It’s a massive opportunity for me to show Ricky and a lot of other people what I’m about,” said Higginson.

“It’s the biggest fight of my life without question. It’s like going from Accrington Stanley right to the Premier League – it’s a big jump up for me.

“Hatton Promotions is one of the biggest up and coming promotions in the country, possibly the world.

“Ricky is one of the biggest names in the boxing world and has the best contacts. I’d love to be part of his team.

“As it stands, it’s just this one fight at the Velodrome. But I’m hoping that, with a good win and a good performance, there might be something more in the future.”

Now in his fourth year as a professional, ‘Dezzi’, whose real name is Graeme, has 16 bouts to his name.

He earlier spent 12 years competing in martial arts, becoming an English champion and winning gold medals for the World Martial Arts Council.

And, quite uncommon for today’s boxers, ‘Dezzi’ is the owner of a bachelor’s degree after graduating in Sport Studies at the University of Central Lancashire in 2004 Higginson, now living in Fulwood, near Preston, is coached by his father Barry at the Fit2XL Gym in Lower Darwen.

And as the days tick down to his big fight in Manchester, Higginson was given local support at the gym from Blackburn Rovers duo David Dunn and Paul Gallagher.

“It is great to see another Blackburn lad come good,” said Dunn. “There have not been too many boxers, but it would be great to see a local lad get up that ladder and become a top champion.”

l Anybody wanting tickets for the ‘Boys Are Back In Town’ can contact Dezzi on 07834 355890, 07944 574056 or 07515951952.

l Higginson would like to thank Darwen-based hardware company Leo Fixings for their sponsorship and support.