LYDNEY boxer Chris Higgs faces the biggest fight of his professional career on Friday when he steps into the ring at Gloucester's GL1 arena in a bid to lift the welterweight International Masters title.

He is, says his father Bryan, well prepared for the match – though it will not be against his scheduled opponent, Mark Lloyd.

Lloyd has had to pull out with a shoulder injury and Higgs now has to face Manchester-based William Warburton.

"He (Warburton) is a good kid. I've seen him fight and he's no mug," says Bryan. Though his opponent has changed, the Masters title is still up for grabs.

With 12 wins to his name, Higgs remains unbeaten. A win in fight 13 will enable him to take an elimination contest for the British title.

"Chris has trained really hard. He has taken six weeks off work to prepare and is in good shape for what is his biggest contest to date," said Bryan.

The contest is over 10 three minute rounds and Higgs is expected to box at around 10pm.

On the same bill another Lydney-based boxer, Lewis Van Poetsch, will also be in action in his first ever professional fight. He also has a change of opponent and is now expected to face a Latvian boxer.