Sky’s the limit for Ronnie, insists trainer

Photo: Picture by AL STEVENSON.

Ronnie Heffron lands a right cross.

BOXING:

OLDHAM’S Ronnie Heffron is in line for his first shot at a professional title after producing a fifth-round stoppage of Romanian tough nut Ionut Trandafir Ilie at Bowler's Arena in Manchester.

The 21-year-old welterweight knew it would not be a stroll in the park against a man who avoided defeat in his first 16 bouts, but 'Razor Ronnie' improved with every round and a stinging body shot floored Ilie (27) half-way through the fifth.

Heffron, cheered on by a healthy turn-out of supporters, grew into the fight and had produced several powerful flurries before delivering the telling blow.

With nine successive professional wins under his belt, he is now widely tipped to go for a title before the summer.

"I felt good from the first bell," said Heffron. "It was never going to be easy because I was fighting a very tough guy, but at no point did I feel uncomfortable.

"Hopefully, sometime in the next few months, a title fight can be sorted out. I would love to be given the chance."

Heffron's Failsworth-based trainer Anthony Farnell believes there is no limit to what his young charge can achieve.

He said: "I thought Ronnie was amazing against Ilie. It was his best performance since turning professional. I watch him in the gym and I can see him learning every single day. He absorbs information and puts it to good use.

"Part of me doesn't want to see him rushed into a title fight, but the other part sees this extremely talented lad getting better all the time, and the sky is the limit.

"I am not sure if it will be a Northern Area bout. He could go for an English or Intercontinental title.

“But it will become clearer in the next couple of months. I have trained a lot of talented men in my time, but they have lacked dedication. Ronnie has it all – he is determined to make it."