MARK Heffron feels he should already have won the British middleweight title and is determined to make that a reality on Friday night.

The Oldham fight favourite was the mandatory challenger for then champion Jason Welborn towards the end of 2018.

He vacated for a world title chance with Liam Williams stepping in and inflicting what remains the only career defeat for Heffron in 27 professional fights.

Now the 28-year-old is set for his eagerly-anticipated rematch with Denzel Bentley after their rare unanimous draw in September that saw all three judges score the contest 95-95.

Williams has relinquished his title in the interim meaning that second time around they will battle for the coveted Lonsdale belt at 160lb live on BT Sport.

“To win the British title on Friday means the absolute world to me,” Heffron said at the pre-fight press conference.

“I can’t wait and I am buzzing. A British title is what every domestic fighter wants and I feel I should be British champion now if Jason Welborn hadn’t pulled out.

“Instead, I moved up a few levels and fought Liam Williams.

“It’s a massive opportunity because there will also be a world ranking.

“I hope he has worked hard, because I know I have. I can’t wait.”

Heffron believes he is a better fighter than two months ago having had more time with new trainer Michael Jennings, Chorley’s former British welterweight champion and world title challenger.

“I'd been in the gym with Michael for one week and then we got the fight date,” Heffron said.

“The last camp was more just getting fit for the fight. This camp we have got a good, good gameplan and we've made a few changes.

“When you step up levels one shot doesn’t knock opponents out.

“That is where I have gone wrong in the past - admiring my shots and stuff like that. I have been working with Michael on not admiring my work, but putting shots together.

“I am ready for a good, solid 12 rounds, but if I can take it out of the judges’ hands I will.

“He definitely hasn’t got the power to stop me.”

From the moment the final bell went in September, Heffron has insisted he was a clear winner, believing this is a score that shouldn’t need to be settled.

That is what he will look to do though behind closed doors at the BT Sport Studio in Stratford.

“I've watched the fight 10 or 11 times now and I see the same thing every time. I think I won the fight,” he said.

“I just feel like I landed the much bigger shots, the more work and the cleaner shots.

“I was knocked down but not one bit was I hurt because I was more off-balance than anything.

“I got straight up and straight back on with it and I feel like I won the rest of the round.

“He is deluded because I clearly won the fight and he thinks he won it.”