Ronnie fired up to thrill home fans

READY FOR BATTLE . . . Ronnie Heffron expects a strong challenge from Simone Lucas.

BOXING:

RONNIE Heffron can’t wait to put on a show in front of a sold-out audience at Oldham Sports Centre on Saturday.

Home-town welterweight favourite Heffron is looking forward to a test against Nottingham-based, Burundi-born Simone Lucas.

Lucas is 35, but Heffron (23) knows he isn’t in for a stroll: his opponent beat highly-rated Adil Anwar last weekend.

Heffron said: “It could be a pretty close one, this. Lucas did well to beat Anwar so he’ll be dangerous.

“But I’ve sold a lot of tickets and I know the whole show is a sell-out, so I want to really turn on the style.”

Heffron – who has lost only once in his 14-fight professional career – is hoping his latest bout will be another stepping stone towards bigger things.

The former ABA champion added: “I want to be up there for a possible British title shot before too long.

“Maybe after two or three more wins I can start thinking about that kind of level.

“I know I’m capable of mixing it with fighters already in and around that level, so I’ve just got to keep my head down and keep working towards that.”

Ashton’s Jon Kays tops the VIP Promotions bill on Saturday night when he takes on Grimsby’s Kevin Hooper for the vacant English super-featherweight title. But Oldham will be well represented at the Sports Centre show.

Welterweight Marvin Greaves will defends a two-fight unbeaten professional record, while

22-year-old light-middleweight Sam Omidi will bid to extend his pro record to four wins from five fights. Light-welterweight hopeful Ashley Mayall will also be in action.