Injury KOs rival

Boxing:

RONNIE Heffron’s preparations for tomorrow night’s Central Area title were thrown into turmoil after opponent Chris Johnson pulled out of the bout at Bowlers, Trafford Park.

Bolton-based southpaw Johnson (29) cited a bad back as the reason for his withdrawal, which has sparked a late scramble in the search for a new opponent.

Anthony Farnell, who trains 20-year-old Oldham welterweight Heffron at his Failsworth gym, insists the fight will go ahead, even if it means finding someone at the last minute.

The showdown is chief support to Frankie Gavin’s defence of his WBO Intercontinental title against Frank Horoche.

“Naturally Ronnie is absolutely gutted because he is going for his first title and the preparations have been centred around the fact he was up against Johnson,” said Farnell.

“Ronnie has been sparring with southpaws like Tom Stalker, the captain of the Great Britain squad, due to the fact Johnson is left-handed. It is a blow for him to pull out like this at such short notice.

“I am not sure how bad Johnson’s injury is, but I cannot think about that at this moment. As frustrating as it is for Ronnie and myself, we just have to get on with it and adapt to whatever comes our way.

“Hopefully an opponent can be found as soon as possible. The bout will happen.”

Heffron warmed up for his title shot by beating Welsh teenager Tony Pace on points at the Liverpool Echo Arena. He ran out a comfortable 60-54 winner despite a plucky display from his opponent.

Having emerged from that fight with no ill-effects, Heffron has lightly trained this week and has been winding down since his final gym session last night.

Farnell added: “We have not done anything too intense, just went through the basics. Now it is down to Ronnie to keep his mind off all the issues caused by Johnson’s withdrawal and chill out, while keeping his weight down.”

Bowlers is near the Trafford Centre. For ticket information, call Tommy Heffron, Ronnie’s father, on (0161) 287 3231.