Heffron excites trainer

TOP PROSPECT . . . Mark Heffron.

BOXING:

MARK Heffron has been tipped to do for Oldham what Ricky Hatton did for Manchester.

The talented welterweight (18) makes his professional debut in Wolverhampton on Sunday when he faces Terry Adams, and trainer Joe Gallagher is buzzing at the potential he has shown.

“There are a lot of up-and-coming kids in boxing so I don’t usually get excited, but I am definitely excited about this lad,” said Gallagher.

“If he works hard, he has all the tools at his disposal to do for Oldham what Ricky Hatton did for Manchester — that is how good he can be.”

Heffron, the former Northside ABC and Boarshaw club member, now trains at Gallagher’s Gym in Denton.

He faces Adams (32) in the ‘crunch time at lunch time’ show at Wolverhampton Civic Hall.

Adams, who hails from the Midlands, will have the majority of the home crowd on his side, although Gallagher predicted a decent level of support from Oldham.

He added: “I think a lot of people will be getting in their cars to turn out and support Mark. He deserves it.

“His preparation could not have been better. He has sparred with John and Joe Murray, who are both fantastic boxers at the top of their game.

“You just cannot put a price on the experience Mark will gain from rubbing shoulders with such world class fighters.”

Gallagher did have a word of warning for his young charge.

“The kid is 18 years of age. He is going to deal with social pressures, girlfriends etc, and he needs to keep a level head if he is going to make it.

“There is a long road ahead, but Mark has all the attributes to become the real deal.”

Look out for Heffron’s progress in the Oldham Evening Chronicle.