STOKE favourite Nathan Heaney boxes in his home city for the first time in five years when he takes on Grant Dennis next month. Last seen entering the ring in the Potteries as a local hero full of hope, ‘Hitman’ returns with a career on life support.
“Five years ago when I last fought at the King’s Hall when it was sold out, the videos went viral and that’s what got me signed by Frank Warren,” Heaney told BBC Stoke.
“It’s a reminder of what the city is and the demand for it is. We need a bigger place and we’ve got one – the football stadium – so I need to get back on track to make sure that can happen.”
Kent man Dennis fought for a WBO European strap back in early 2022, but his form has dropped off a cliff of late and beating Heaney would be a sizeable upset despite the Stoke man’s own record predicament.
Now 36, with an 18-2-1 (6 KOs) slate, Nathan hasn’t tasted victory since a career-best majority decision win over Denzel Bentley in late 2023, where Heaney admitted nerves and anxiety enabled him to box the fight of his life.
A draw with Brad Pauls, followed by a stoppage loss to the same man, which cost Heaney the British middleweight title, hit him hard. More concerningly, the ticket seller was cut, dropped and stopped by France’s Sofiane Khati in his last outing, prompting some to whisper the “r” word.
“If I was to lose then it will probably be the last time I ever fight. I’ve never imagined retiring on a loss but sometimes you have no choice,” he added to the BBC.
“My dream is to end [my career] at Stoke City but if that didn’t happen, 26 July could be the last time I fight in Stoke.”
