Heffron set for top-line debut

RONNIE HEFFRON, one of the hottest properties in British boxing, doesn’t want to be compared to anyone else.

The 19-year-old Oldhamer has signed professional forms for the Frank Warren stable and will make his eagerly-awaited debut on December 5 in Newcastle on the undercard of Amir Khan’s WBA light-welterweight title defence against Dimitry Salita.

Heffron is trained by former WBU middleweight champion Anthony Farnell, alongside the likes of Frankie Gavin and Tony Bellew.

An ABA champion at both junior and senior level, he has been likened to Hyde’s Ricky Hatton and is regarded as one of the best prospects in the country — but insists he will be his own man.

“I’m the new Ronnie Heffron, not the new Ricky Hatton,” he joked.

“It’s fantastic to sign terms with one of the best promoters in the world and I am looking forward to making my debut on a fantastic bill in Newcastle.

“I thought about staying amateur until the 2012 Olympics, but I kept getting overlooked at my weight and thought it was the right time to leave.

“I’ve always wanted to be a professional boxer, so when this offer came up it was too good to turn down.”

Warren expects big things of Heffron, who won the senior ABA title at 64kg earlier in the year.

He said: “Ronnie is a quality fighter and he reflects my policy of signing the very best.

“British boxing is buzzing right now and there are so many good young fighters coming through.

“I’m delighted Ronnie has signed for me and I have a proven track record of developing young talent into household names, such as Nigel Benn, Naseem Hamed, Ricky Hatton and Joe Calzaghe.”

The Newcastle bill will showcase some of the best young talent in British boxing, including Kevin Mitchell, Olympic gold medallist James DeGale, 2007 world amateur champion Frankie Gavin and GB Olympic representative Billy Joe Saunders.

For ticket information on the December 5 bill, call 0844 2485013.