Heffron stars for England

LOCAL lad Mark Heffron was the only boxer to win all three bouts for England who triumphed in a Multi-Nations Tournament in Ireland.

The 17-year-old from Horsedge Street, a member of Boarshaw club, posted three impressive points victories as his successful season continues.

Heffron defeated home fighter Jamie Kennedy 11-6 in his opening bout and then easily overcame Italian Dennis Piva 11-1 and finished off with a 4-1 win against German Alex Maurer.

Heffron, who was boxing in the 64kg class, can add his latest triumph to winning the National Boys Club Championship and finishing runner-up in the junior ABAs as well as helping England win the Home Internationals.

And there could be further success as Heffron has been selected to box for England in next month’s European Union Championships in Poland.

Ben Lancaster, Heffron’s coach at Boarshaw, is delighted with the progress of the teenager, whose older brother Ronnie recently abandoned his dream of competing at the 2012 Olympic Games to turn professional.


AMIR KHAN believes his entire career has been leading towards Saturday's date with destiny as he prepares to take on Andreas Kotelnik for the WBA world welterweight title in Manchester.

Khan has turned his professional career around after suffering a humiliating first–round knockout against Breidis Prescott last September and now finds himself on the brink of the big time with a first shot at a world title.

He said: "It's a massive fight for me."