NATHAN Heaney has built a career not just on his skill in the ring but on the infectious energy he brings outside of it. The Stoke-born middleweight has captivated fans with his passionate entrances, which have become a staple of his fights. But beyond the fanfare, Heaney remains a fighter determined to prove himself at the highest level.
“If you can’t do a sing-song before a fight, then you weren’t meant to be a fighter,” Heaney jokes, reflecting on his now-iconic ring walks.
They are a testament to the connection he has with his home crowd of ‘Stokies’, and a sign of the confidence he carries into battle. However, as the dust settles on his most recent fights, Heaney is focused on what’s next rather than dwelling on the past.
Heaney boasts an impressive 19-2-1 record, but his last two outings haven’t gone to plan. “[I am] gutted about the last result, but it’s just part of the sport. I’ve been successful in 19 fights, but my last two weren’t the best,” he admits, acknowledging the frustration of recent performances.
Despite the setbacks, Heaney has already claimed one of the biggest domestic scalps in the division, securing a victory over Denzel Bentley to win the British middleweight title. “Beating Denzel Bentley was the best win of my career, but I don’t want to dine out on that looking back on my career,” he says. “My style suited Bentley well in terms of I know what he can do.”
His ambitions, however, stretch far beyond past victories. “My dream is still to fight at Stoke City football ground, and it should have happened after the Bentley fight,” Heaney reveals.
“The Stoke ground was all booked in for June, but the draw took me out of the top 10 in the world, and that meant I was no longer mandatory.”
That mentality is what drives Heaney forward. Rather than resting on past achievements, he is fixated on returning to winning ways and climbing the rankings once more. “I need to get winning again, so whatever that means [if I need to step down in rounds], my last four fights have been very tough. Whether they want me to drop down in rounds, we will just see what happens.”
There’s no lack of ambition, though. Heaney is laser-focused on re-establishing himself among the elite. “I want to get back to the top 15 in the world,” he declares.
One such fight that slipped away was a potential showdown with Carlos Adames. Heaney believes the draw against Brad Pauls derailed that opportunity. “I don’t think that first fight with Brad Pauls was a draw, I feel I should have won that by a few rounds. Had that been the case, it was in the works for me to fight Carlos Adames at Stoke.”
Reflecting on his journey into professional boxing, Heaney recalls how his time in the amateur circuit convinced him to fully commit to the sport.
“I started to beat some decent lads on the national scene, some national champions, and I thought if I was doing that at 60 per cent, imagine what I could do if I put my all into it.”
His decision to turn professional came with a simple motivation whilst working as a college lecturer. “I finished the amateurs at 26, and a year into teaching, I wanted to turn pro just so I would have no regrets. I thought, I’ll give it a go.”
Beyond boxing, Heaney has also dealt with personal tragedy, particularly the loss of his father to suicide. Heaney said: “I would love to say speaking out might help, but I have seen first-hand that sometimes it just doesn’t help.”
However, he believes having purpose is essential in maintaining mental well-being.
“Goals keep you focused on things. I think the biggest men’s mental health issue is when they have nothing to work toward.”
With a loyal fanbase behind him and an unwavering belief in his abilities, Heaney remains one of British boxing’s most compelling figures. Whether it’s in a stadium filled with chanting fans or inside the ropes, expect to see him fighting with the same passion and grit that has made him a local hero. The comeback is on, and Heaney is ready to rise again.
