IT is hard for a prospect, no matter how good he is, to get noticed. For Ronald Hearns, a 28-year-old middleweight from Michigan, the problem is different to most. He is the son of the legendary "Hitman" himself, Thomas, so the pressure to make it is unimaginably immense.

"Yeah, there's very heavy pressure trying to carry on my dad's name," he admitted. "He was known for being such an exciting fighter and having a devastating right hand, so everyone is looking forward to me reaching those expectations. But I'm not looking for that. I'm trying to make my own mark in the game. I want to show the people what I can do, not what he did." Ronald, 16-0 (13), has inherited his famous dad's physique but the new "Motor City Cobra" does not necessarily dream of winning a title at middleweight.

"Actually, I might move down to 154lbs [11st] and box for a title there because I'm pretty light. After the next three or four fights we'll see and then take it from there."

He doesn't have his eyes on any champion in particular. "I don't want to say I'm going to fight this guy or that guy. Whoever stands in my way when I get the opportunity, I'm going to go for it."

Ronald has been very carefully matched so far and there is pressure for him to move up in class. "I think this year or next year will be my breakthrough year. DiBella [promotions] are moving me very well and I have a real good team around me.

I'm looking forward to bigger and better things this year." Most of his fights have been as supports on some pretty big fight cards. It's great exposure.

"I've fought on some big and very exciting cards [Jermain Taylor-Cory Spinks, Taylor-Kelly Pavlik]." Like his father, Ronald has no false bravado and is softly-spoken and respectful of other fighters. He is happy to talk about the Hitman and his legendary career.

"I can remember a lot of his fights real well, actually. Both the Ray Leonard fights, of course, the Marvin Hagler fight. The Dennis Andries and the Juan Roldan fights."

And he was inspired by the return with Leonard.

"I would say the second fight my dad had with Leonard is my favourite and the one I'm most proud of, even though he didn't win it - officially at least."

His father doesn't train him but offers support.

"He will always be there, in the crowd," said Ronald. "And he'll be in the locker room with me before the fight, giving me advice and support. Then he'll go back and take his seat. I have my own team around me." He named Arizona's Hector Hernandez as his toughest opponent so far. Ronald stopped him in six rounds.

"He took good head shots so I had to wear him down by going to the body. He was a real durable guy.

"I consider myself a boxer-puncher. I'm trying to put my left hook into my arsenal right now. My left hook is looking pretty strong in camp."

Like his dad, Ronald has faith in his movement and agility as well as power, but scoring a spectacular knockout is always a plus.

"Like I say, I don't always go looking for a knockout, but if it comes, then great.

I like putting on good shows for the fans."

He has a long way to go in world title terms still, but one day Ronald Hearns might give us some great fights of his own to rival his father's!