Heffron takes on Cottier in first professional fight

BOXING: OLDHAM welterweight Ronnie Heffron will make his eagerly-awaited professional debut against Londoner Duncan Cottier in front of a sell-out crowd.

One of British boxing’s up-and-coming talents, the former junior and senior ABA champion’s first appearance in the paid ranks is on the undercard to Amir Khan’s WBA light-welterwight title defence against Dimitry Salita in Newcastle on December 5.

The 19-year-old, who has joined Frank Warren’s successful camp of boxers, is trained by Failsworth’s Anthony Farnell, the ex-WBU middleweight belt holder.

This is a stern examination for Heffron, according to Warren’s head of media Richard Maynard.

He said: “Cottier is an experienced boxer who has been in with countless champions.

“He’s had 61 fights and will give Ronnie a big test in his first contest as a pro.

“Ronnie is in a star-studded show, with the likes of Amir Khan, Kevin Mitchell, James DeGale, Frankie Gavin and Billy Joe Saunders also in action.

“We are expecting all 12,000 seats to be sold.”

Heffron, from Horsedge Street, won the 64kg senior ABA title earlier in the year, but rather than preparing for a crack at the London Olympics in three years’ time, he decided to turn pro.

Despite his long fight record, opponent Cottier (32) has just three wins to his name. But of his 55 defeats, only five have been by knock-out.

For ticket information on the December 5 bill, call 0844 2485013.



Meanwhile, rising star Heffron still hasn’t got himself a nickname for his pro debut, and that’s where the readers of the Oldham Evening Chronicle come in.

Maynard said: “Ronnie and Frank Warren are reaching out to the people of Oldham to come up with a nickname for one of the brightest prospects in boxing.”

Email your suggestions to sport@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , or send a postcard, with your name and address to: Ronnie Heffron Nickname, Sports Desk, Oldham Evening Chronicle, 172, Union Street, Oldham, OL1 1EQ.