Time-out for "tired" Heffron

Ronnie Heffron

RONNIE Heffron is heading off for a long rest after he was comprehensively beaten in his British light-middleweight title eliminator by Welsh tough guy Liam Williams at the Manchester Arena.

Heffron, 24 today, suffered defeat against Clydach Vale opponent Williams, which was confirmed when trainer Kelvin Travis pulled the Oldham favourite out of the scheduled 10-round contest at the end of the sixth.

By that time Heffron had taken quite a beating, certainly not helped by an accidental clash of heads at the end of the second round which opened up a gaping cut just above his right eye.

Blood was pouring from the wound, but Heffron’s corner deserve credit for patching up their man as he battled through another four difficult rounds.

On top of that, Heffron revealed that a lack of sleep on Friday night had a big effect on his below-par performance, which means he has now been beaten twice in his 17-fight professional career.

A disappointed Heffron said: “I only had two hours’ sleep and that affected me.

“I was tired before the fight and I never really got going from the start. The better man won in the end.

“My sharpness wasn’t there and then getting cut so early wasn’t great. I couldn’t see out of my right eye.

“I just wasn’t myself, and that’s it for me now for a while.

“I’m going to need a few months’ rest. I need to recharge my batteries before I decide what to do next and when to fight again.”
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