Heffron gearing up for title tilts

Photo: Anthony Miller

HUNGRY FOR SUCCESS: Mark Heffron. PICTURE by ANTHONY MILLER

SUPER-middleweight rivals had better watch out - Oldham's Mark Heffron is back in business and hungry for titles.

Heffron (25) now appears to have put any out-of-ring issues firmly behind him, and he's set to take his domestic division by storm.

Now based back in town, in Shaw, Heffron has switched trainers from Kevin Maree to Hyde legend Ricky Hatton, and he has been further boosted this week by the birth of his first child - a daughter named Poppy Rose to partner Rebecca.

Heffron has won all 15 of his professional fights so far - including all but two of those by way of knock-out - but it appear that a change of trainers may have been on the cards for a little while.

CHAMPION

Heffron said: "Ricky's a three-time world champion and I just feel that he can take me to that next level.

"I need to step up my boxing career now and he can definitely help me get to where I want to be.

"Kevin Maree has done a lot for me - to be honest I wouldn't be where I am now if it wasn't for him - but I just feel that Ricky, because he's been there and done it all, can push me on now.

"I have been going down to Ricky's gym for a few months now, sparring a few of his lads, and there's already three there at my weight. Therefore I'd never have to worry about future sparring.

"He's just got everything down there - all the facilities and equipment, so it was an easy decision really."

Heffron has now fought four times in the last six months having previously spent lengthy periods out of the ring, and he goes again on June 17, at Trafford Park's Victoria Warehouse when he takes on tough Polish fighter Bartlomiej Grafka.

FAVOURITE

Heffron will be a strong favourite to finish that fight early again, and then he hopes to get into the title mix having also recently signed a contract with promotion giant Frank Warren.

"I'm just so confident right now - 100-per-cent," added Heffron.

"Ricky and I have been working on a lot of things and it's already going well.

"I'm definitely wanting titles now.

"I think I'm only a fight or two away from a WBO inter-continental title shot now I've also signed with Frank.

"I've also been looking at a possible English title shot, and ironically the current champion - Darryll Williams - is now one of my new stable-mates at Ricky's gym.

"David Brophy has got the Commonwealth title at the moment, and I know I could be close to fighting for that.

"By the end of this year or early next, though, I would like to be fighting for the British title."

Tickets are still available for the June 17 show via the link at: www.vipboxing.tv