Former British middleweight champion Nathan Heaney has vowed to “carry on” fighting despite the pain of back-to-back defeats.
Appearing on the undercard of Saturday’s Derek Chisora v Otto Wallin bill at Manchester’s Co-op Live arena, the 35-year-old from Stoke-on-Trent was stopped in the seventh round by Frenchman Sofiane Khati in a fight for the WBA Continental belt.
That followed Heaney’s final-round stoppage by Cornwall’s Brad Pauls in Birmingham last July – his only two losses in 21 fights since turning professional in 2017.
The loss to Pauls was a rematch after the pair had drawn in March to enable Heaney to retain his British title. But he has now not won since beating Denzel Bentley in Manchester in November 2023 to win the Lonsdale Belt.
In the immediate wake of Saturday’s defeat Heaney said he had considered his future in the ring, but he is now only looking forward.
“I will carry on,” he told Talksport. “I almost thought to myself is this it? Was that my own last dance without even knowing it?”
Heaney said a conversation with George Warren, part of Frank Warren’s management team, convinced him he has more to give.
“George Warren phoned me on Sunday night and he told me that whatever happens they’ve got my back, which was a real weight off my shoulders,” he said.
“My dream to be a fighter is still there, so long as I can still look after myself.
“My last two fights have been very tough. I got caught by a good shot on Saturday night.
“But I’ve had 111 fights – 90 as an amateur and 21 as a pro, and I don’t feel it.”
Heaney also says having almost 2,000 fellow Stoke City fans behind him in Manchester was a huge incentive to carry on fighting.
“My supporters deserve it,” he said. “The Stokies have allowed me to achieve my dreams. They’ve been amazing for me.”
