Mark Heffron Finally Gets An Opponent

Mark Heffron Finally Gets An Opponent

By Oliver McManus

After a lengthy period left in the lurch with regards Mark Heffron’s opponent for December 22nd, yesterday came the news with Liam Williams confirmed as the Oldham-man’s counterpart.

The bout, expected to take place for the British Middleweight title, is the product of repeated challengers turning down the contest with Heffron as well as JJ Metcalf – Williams’ original opponent – withdrawing due to injury. Heffron, a long time mandatory, has been granted a “free shot” at the title after Jason Welborn relinquished the crown to pursue a world title on the undercard of Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury.

Make no mistake, though, Williams will be as strong a challenger as they come and the Welsh boxer will enter the ring on the back of two thunderous knockout victories this year. The rebuild from back-to-back losses against Liam Smith saw Williams join Dominic Ingle and the boxer has looked crisp and rejuvenated in the ring.

Having been in camp preparing for a 50-50 clash with Metcalf, Williams steps up in weight to challenge for the British title and will carry his power into the new division with relative ease. With Williams looking to pursue higher honours, the change in weight seems a sensible move and the former British & Commonwealth super-welterweight champion is jumping straight into the deep end.

Heffron, himself, has been preparing for a British title for the best part of four months and produced a super performance back in June when he stopped Andrew Robinson in the 6th. That fight saw Heffron claim the WBC International strap and Kid Dynamite looked classy in the ring with a strong control of the tempo, working the angles and remaining patient before seizing his opportunity.

A grafter outside of the ring, Heffron’s work-rate has been evident throughout his career and he looks in fine fiddle five weeks out from the fight. No stranger to the big stage – Heffron fought on Tyson Fury’s comeback card in Manchester – you can’t accuse him of taking easy fights with the 26-year-old constantly striving for fights that push him to the next level.

Talking when the fight was announced Heffron said,

“It is going to be some fight for me now on December 22 and it is one I am looking forward to as well, it is definitely a bigger fight than I had lined up before and it is one that will move me onto massive titles afterwards”.

Williams was in an equally confident mood,

“What can I say other than it excites me. It gives me the chance to prove myself at the weight above as well and I should say that I am not being forced to move up because I can make light middle and will still make it.
It is just an opportunity that has come to me because that bottle-job Metcalf pulled out again.

“Listen, I respect Mark Heffron, he is a quality fighter who can punch and box. I believe I can beat him and if I didn’t I wouldn’t have taken this fight and moved up a weight to take it.”

The showdown takes place on December 22nd, at the Manchester Arena, live on BT Sport Box Office and this fight, for sure, is going to produce fireworks.