Mark in bid for final spot

LOCAL boxer Mark Heffron has stepped out of the shadow of his brother Ronnie to win through to the semi-finals of the National Boys Clubs Championship.

The 17-year-old, from Horsedge Street, scored an impressive 14-4 points victory against England international Danny Wilkinson over four rounds at Bolton’s Excel Arena.

Mark, who was boxing in the 64 kilo light-welterweight division, is one of the youngest boxers in the competition, which has an age limit of 19 years.

Ben Lancaster, his trainer at Boarshaw Boxing Club, said: “Mark has done really well to win four bouts to get through to the semi-finals as two of them have been against lads two years older than him.”

Mark is next in action on March 15 when he boxes Craig Bunting in the last four.

Mark’s brother Ronnie, who has been identified as a potential medallist for the 2012 Olympic Games, later this month begins his quest for a first senior ABA title.

Ronnie steps up to the senior ranks having been a junior ABA champion for the last three years.

Mark will be in action on Thursday, April 2 when Boarshaw host a tournament at Middleton Arena. Tickets are available from Ben Lancaster on 0161 653 1128.