Heffron’s promise

HEAD TO HEAD: Ronnie Heffron lays a left hand to the body of Denton Vassell in their Commonwealth welterweight title showdown at the Manchester Arena.

OLDHAM boxer Ronnie Heffron blamed his unsuccessful bid to take Denton Vassell’s Commonwealth title on inexperience — but vowed to bounce back better than ever.

The 22-year-old welterweight was stopped in the sixth round — his first professional defeat in 12 outings — after being stunned by a pair of brutal uppercuts from his 28-year-old Mancunian opponent.

He stayed on his feet but referee Mike Green opted to end the youngster’s valiant effort, provoking a chorus of boos from his supporters - who far outnumbered Vassell’s fans.

Heffron said: “In hindsight I probably took this fight a bit too early in my career. I needed some more experience first, but I will learn from this one and bounce back.

“I will soon be ready to dust myself down and go again.

“Vassell didn’t hurt me at the end - I was feeling all right. He just caught me off-guard and I did not even see it coming.

“I felt fine to carry on but afterwards the referee said he decided to stop it because of my age.

“I would like to thank all of my supporters for coming to back me. They were amazing as always and I appreciate it.”

Anthony Farnell, Heffron’s Failsworth-based trainer, praised his charge for staying on his feet.

He said: “That would have floored a horse but it didn’t floor Ronnie

“I spoke to the referee and I got the impression that, if Ronnie was 27 or 28, the fight wouldn’t have been stopped.

“He said Ronnie is a hugely talented lad and he wanted to protect him for future bouts.”

Farnell is already thinking about Heffron's return to the ring in the New Year.