By Svar Nanan-Sen

MARK Heffron is looking to bounce back from his only career defeat when he returns to the ring in front of his home town crowd next month.

The 27-year-old middleweight from Oldham steps back into the ring following his British-title loss to Liam Williams in December when he takes on an as-yet unnamed opponent over six rounds at Oldham Leisure Centre.

It is a case of Heffron getting back in the swing of things on Saturday, March 16, after that first career setback at the Manchester Arena which left his professional record reading 21 wins from 22 fights, with 17 of those by way of knockout.

Heffron wants to send out a message next month that this last fight was a blip in his career and he still has what it takes to go all the way to becoming a British and world champion.

“I want to have been British champion, European champion and world champion when I look back at the end of my career," he said.

“I’m buzzing for it [his next fight], and I expect a massive turnout.

"I have fought in Oldham before and I got great support.

“I have had people messaging me who have never watched boxing asking if I can get them tickets to my fight.”

The opponent ‘Kid Dynamite’ will be facing in just under six weeks’ time has yet to be announced but Mark already knows what he wants from the contest

“First of all, I want to fight against a durable opponent and then within the next two fights be back in the mix for a title,” he said.

Nearly two months on from when he was stopped in the 10th round, Heffron reflected. “Liam put in a great performance but it was also my worst.

“I suffered a perforated ear drum in the second or third round and from then on everything felt wrong. My balance was effected and my head went. But next time I’ll be more than ready.”

“On top of that I got my weight all wrong for the fight. I weighed in at 11 stone 3lbs. I haven’t been 11 stone 3lbs since I was a kid!”