Ronnie rides the crest of a wave

BOXING:

TRAINER Anthony Farnell knows Ronnie Heffron is progressing at a rapid rate and wants him to enjoy the off season before he's next back in the ring.

‘Arnie’ oversaw former ABA champion Heffron’s sixth straight win as a pro on Saturday night against Barrie Jones in Liverpool.

Heffron took a wide points win in his first six-round fight and battered Jones with fierce body shots throughout the bout.

His trainer was impressed with the 20-year-old’s efforts against a better standard of opposition.

He said: “Barrie Jones was a good opponent and Ronnie was far too good for him.

“Jones has boxed for the British title and Welsh titles and against Kell Brook and Ronnie dealt with him in only his sixth fight.

“I’d like Ronnie to have more fights but there are not many shows out there.”

With the boxing season coming to a close until September, Ronnie is off on holiday, but Arnie knows he won’t have to worry about him coming back out of shape and knows he’ll be banging on the Failsworth gym doors as soon as the plane lands.

“Ronnie’s progressing nicely. I know what he’s like in the gym and he’s a special talent.

“He’ll be back in the ring in September and straight back into the gym after he’s been on holiday.

“Ronnie doesn’t drink or anything. It’s almost as if he’s too dedicated. He’ll do a gym session and still want to run three times a day. He trains too hard sometimes and is always thinking about boxing.”

Heffron also has the distinction of only boxing on big shows.

In his short career he’s boxed on five big undercards in arenas and once at the York Hall, Bethnal Green, known as the home of boxing.