CHRIS P. BACON is back on the menu, or should I say the fight card.

The Prestwich boxer was forced to retire last year because of a back problem, but the cruiserweight has made a successful comeback . . . and wasted no time in disposing of his first opponent.

Zimbabwean southpaw Collice Mutizwa was sent packing at Bowlers inside two minutes of the first round - and that was after Bacon had sustained a cut eye in the first few seconds.

"I got the cut above the eye in the first three seconds, he wasn't a bad kid, so that's why I went for him," said Bacon, who has also worked the doors and is into no-holds barred fighting.

That's a combination of ordinary boxing, kick boxing and one or two other martial arts that are all, according to Chris, "perfectly legal". He will be in action in that sport down in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire in the next couple of weeks.

Tasmanian-born Bacon owes his return to the ring to an orthopaedic specialist in Sheffield.

"I was very depressed when I was forced to retire last year," said Chris. "I didn't want to at all, but I have had some treatment and it seems to be working.

"I had some injections at first, but I don't think it was that. Then I went to see this specialist in Sheffield. I don't know what he did, but it has done wonders," said the man who has also made his name at judo, to Olympic standard, and professional wrestling in Japan in the past.

Chris has moved to the world-famous Champs gym in Moss Side, Manchester to do his boxing training and he has a new manager in the widely-renowned Manchester promoter, Jack Trickett.

Trickett reckons there is no doubt Bacon will get a shot at the British title before too long and he is busy trying to arrange his next couple of bouts.

"Chris is the gamest boy you could ever meet," said Trickett. "He's so strong. He reminds me a bit of Rocky Marciano. He doesn't want too many fights against the boxing type of fighter because he still has to learn things in the game.

"Chris relies on his strength, fitness and heart - and he's got plenty of that," declared Trickett.

"I have more fights lined up for him. There are just one or two things to tie up, but Chris will undoubtedly fight for the British title before long."