Welterweight ace Ronnie Heffron is aiming to destroy his hero Ricky Hatton’s gym mate Denton Vassell next Friday (30th November) to become Commonwealth champion.

The 22-year-old Oldham fighter faces unbeaten champion Vassell on the big Manchester Arena card that features the professional heavyweight debut of Freddie Flintoff, live and exclusive on BoxNation (Sky Ch. 437/Virgin Ch. 546).

Hatton makes his return to the ring tomorrow night, also at the Manchester Arena, against Vyacheslav Senchenko and Bob Shannon, trainer of Hatton and Vassell, has said that with Vassell training alongside The Hitman it has shown him what’s needed to get to the top.

But special talent Heffron, who’s unbeaten in eleven fights, and has been hailed as the new Ricky Hatton with his exciting, all-action, style says this won’t help him.

“Ricky’s a big hero of mine, as well as a lot of other boxers of my generation, and one of the main reasons that I got into boxing,” Said Heffron.

“I used to go to all his big fight nights in Manchester and said that one day that will be me in there headlining the big cards and now I’m there in the main event against Vassell,

“I know that Ricky’s been training and sparring with Vassell and giving him advice which has probably given him a boost, but that won’t do him any good when he’s in the ring against me,”

“At the end of the day it’s just me and him in there.  No disrespect to Vassell, he’s unbeaten and the champion, but this is my time now where I come out and prove that I’m the real thing by ripping the title from him,”

“It’s going to be a great fight for the fans and BoxNation viewers, I’m sure Flintoff will be a big hit in his pro debut, but the fight fans will get a real tear up between me and Vassell.”

An action packed Manchester Arena card also features Manchester light-middleweight Matthew Hall; hot welterweight prospect Bradley Saunders; plus unbeaten Welsh talents Lewis Rees and Liam Williams.

On a huge night of boxing on the Home of Champions BoxNation will also televise live and exclusive David Price’s British and Commonwealth Heavyweight title defence against Matt Skelton from Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool.