James Heneghan will return to the ring on Friday after a ten-month lay-off.
The 25-year-old holds an unblemished record in the professional ranks and is looking to extend his record this weekend. Heneghan will face Lukasz Barabasz at Knowsley Leisure Centre.
He told MerseySportLive: “It’s always about going in and getting the win. With my style, the knockouts only come when people come to fight. Sometimes against journeyman that I’ve fought early on in my career, they go into their shell.
“I’m not going to be reckless to just get them out of there. I know from sparring that when I hit people, I can hurt them.
“When I step up the levels, you’ll probably find I’ll get more knockouts.
“I think I’m ready now (to step up the levels). I am hoping to step up anytime now. I’ve just come back from two hand injuries, hopefully I’ll shake the rust off and perform well on Friday.”
The southpaw is promoted by legendary promoter Frank Warren, who guided Ricky Hatton, Tyson Fury and Naseem Hamed to world honours.
“I am still under contract with Frank (Warren); I’ve got over a year left with Frank. We’ll be looking to stay with him, that’s the plan.
“Just because Boxnation is launching again, that’s sort of where Frank started. About three fighters on the card on Friday are promoted by Frank.”
Despite being levels above his opponent, the Liverpudlian is not taking him lightly.
“He’s caused a few upsets, the fights he’s lost; no one really had it easy. He’s one of them; if you take him likely he’s going to cause you all kinds of problems. He’s not going to just let me hit him, he’s definitely going to come to win.
“I think if there’s no fear factor going into a fight then maybe you do switch off and get caught with shots. Every fight now is massive no matter who is in front of me. I’ve just spent 10 fights building and if I lose I’ll have to start building again.”
Stoke hero Nathan Heaney holds the coveted Lonsdale belt in the middleweight division. Heneghan is eyeing the bout if he successfully negotiates his fight this week. The fight should be simple to make with both men sharing a promoter.
“I think the British Champion Nathan Heaney; most fighters want to be fighting for British titles. I’m not different, that’s a fight that I’d love to make.
“I know Queensberry and Frank Warren have told me they want to make it in the future. I know he’s got a big opportunity fighting in Stoke soon, whatever happens, I’m going to be in the position. If I keep winning hopefully it gets ordered by the British Boxing Board.”
James Heneghan reflects on his recent period out of the ring
His fledgling career has come with challenges. The scouser sustained two serious hand injuries over the past year stalling his career at a time of promise. Now, he is fit and raring to get back among the contenders.
“By the time I get into the ring on Friday, it’ll be 11 months out of the ring. So, it’s a long time since to not have been active and I want to shake the rust off.
“I only had an operation six or seven weeks ago; I’ve been punching with it (the hand) for five weeks. It feels strong and ready to go. I want to be in big fights soon.
“I slipped in the gym and done all the ligaments in my hand but I stayed in the gym and done shadow boxing and one-handed boxing.
“I didn’t want it to take over my life. Unfortunately, I went back (to the doctors) in January and they wanted me to have surgery. I got that done in March.”
Although Heneghan is a full-time athlete, he will allow himself a cheat meal if he wins this weekend. He shared his cravings.
“I keep changing my mind all the time; It’s looking like it’ll be a big pizza but I don’t know if I could change my mind. Maybe some brownies or cookies.”
