Confident Heffron is happy to be top dog

Photo: Anthony Miller

DETERMINED AND HUNGRY FOR TITLES . . . Mark Heffron

TOPPING the bill at any professional boxing show would be enough to make most fighters feel a little on edge, but that's far from the case as far as Mark Heffron is concerned.

Super-middleweight star Heffron (25) will look to extend his perfect record to 17 wins from 17 fights in the paid ranks tomorrow, when the sold-out Oldham Sports Centre will be rocking.

If there will be any pressure on to shine as he takes on Polish tough guy Tomasz Gargula for the International Challenger Belt, Heffron certainly isn't showing it.

Now trained by former world champion superstar Ricky Hatton, Heffron oozes confidence as he eyes a 14th devastating stoppage.

TRAINING

Heffron said: "I feel allright. My training has gone brilliantly and I'm buzzing for the fight now.

"Maybe four or five fights ago I might have been feeling the pressure a little bit, but that's not the case now, since I've been training with Ricky.

"He's sat down with me and talked to me about how to start winding down a bit before a fight.

"He told me to just go out there and relax.

"I am confident, but I wouldn't say I'll be going out there to get another quick stoppage.

"If the fight goes the full eight rounds then so be it."

Now right back on top of his game and surely closing in on some much more prestigious title showdowns in the near future, Shaw-based Heffron can't wait to give his army of fans plenty to shout about tomorrow.

He has sold 450 tickets for the VIP Promotions show on his own, so he's tuned up to perfection.

"There's going to be nothing better than going out there to fight in front of my own people," added Heffron.

"I've not really seen much of Gargula in action, but I'm more than ready for what he's got."

Gargula, now 42, is from Nowy Sacz in Poland. A former national champion, he remained unbeaten in his first 18 professional fights, but in the last two years he has lost seven out of eight.

Fellow Oldhamers Danny Wright, Joe Eko and Jack Kilgannon are also on the bill.

HEFFRON is on the look-out for additional sponsorship from local businesses or individuals.

If you may be in a position to help the potential future champion, call him on 07930 248749.

Don't forget to read the full report from fight night in Monday's Chronicle.