Nathan Heaney has become known for more than just his boxing skills; his captivating and energetic personality outside the ring has also drawn fans in. Hailing from Stoke, the middleweight boxer is famous for his passionate ring entrances, a highlight of his fights. Beyond the showmanship, Heaney is a dedicated fighter focused on proving his capabilities at the highest levels of the sport.
“If you can’t enjoy a sing-along before a fight, you’re probably not cut out to be a boxer,” Heaney quips, referring to his signature ring walks.
These entrances are a clear demonstration of his strong bond with his local supporters, the ‘Stokies’, and reflect the confidence he carries into each bout. However, after his recent matches, Heaney is looking forward, concentrating on future challenges rather than past events.
Heaney holds a strong record of 19 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, but his last two fights didn’t go as hoped. “I was really disappointed with the last result, but that’s boxing. I’ve had success in 19 fights, but my two most recent performances weren’t my best,” he admits, acknowledging his recent frustrations.
Despite these recent setbacks, Heaney has already achieved a significant victory in his division, defeating Denzel Bentley to claim the British middleweight title. “Beating Denzel Bentley was the highlight of my career so far, but I don’t want to just rely on that victory when I look back at my career,” he states. “My fighting style was a good match against Bentley’s style, as I understood what he was capable of.”
His ambitions extend beyond past successes. “My ultimate dream is still to fight at Stoke City’s stadium, and it was very close to happening after the Bentley fight,” Heaney reveals.
“The Stoke City ground was actually booked for June, but the draw in my record dropped me out of the world’s top 10 rankings, which meant I lost my mandatory challenger position.”
This forward-thinking attitude fuels Heaney. Instead of dwelling on past achievements, he is determined to get back to winning and improve his ranking again. “I need to get back in the winning column, so whatever it takes [even if it means shorter fights], my last four fights have been very demanding. We’ll see what happens regarding the rounds, if they want me to reduce them.”
His ambition remains strong. Heaney is completely focused on re-establishing himself among the top boxers. “I want to get back into the top 15 worldwide,” he declares.
A potential fight that didn’t materialize was against Carlos Adames. Heaney believes the draw against Brad Pauls cost him that opportunity. “I disagree with the draw in the first fight with Brad Pauls; I believe I should have won by a few rounds. If that had been a win, a fight with Carlos Adames at Stoke was being planned.”
Reflecting on his path into professional boxing, Heaney recalls how his amateur boxing experience convinced him to fully commit to the sport.
“I started defeating some strong competitors on the national level, including national champions, and I realized if I was achieving this at 60 percent effort, imagine what I could do if I dedicated myself completely.”
His decision to turn professional was driven by a simple desire to avoid regret, while he was working as a college lecturer. “I finished my amateur career at 26, and after a year of teaching, I decided to turn professional simply so I wouldn’t have any regrets later. I thought, I’ll give it my best shot.”
Beyond his boxing career, Heaney has also faced personal tragedy, particularly the suicide of his father. Heaney commented: “I wish I could say that speaking out always helps, but I’ve seen firsthand that sometimes it’s just not enough.”
However, he believes having a sense of purpose is crucial for maintaining good mental health.
“Goals keep you oriented and focused. I believe the biggest mental health challenge for men is when they lack something to strive for.”
With a devoted fanbase and unwavering self-belief, Heaney continues to be a compelling figure in British boxing. Whether he’s in a stadium filled with cheering fans or in the boxing ring, you can expect to see him fight with the same passion and determination that has made him a local icon. His comeback journey is underway, and Heaney is ready to rise to the top again.
