Two Midlands boxers are experiencing very different emotions as they prepare to fight in Birmingham on Saturday. Liam Davies of Shropshire headlines the event, aiming to defend his European featherweight title as he pursues his dream of becoming a world champion. Meanwhile, 37-year-old Nathan Heaney from Stoke-on-Trent, a former British middleweight titleholder, is set for his final professional bout.
For Heaney, this fight marks the end of his career, a closing chapter celebrated by his loyal supporters, many of whom are fellow Stoke City fans. Known affectionately as the popular ex-teacher, Heaney’s “Last Delilah” fight is a heartfelt farewell, drawing 1,800 fans to the venue. Reflecting on his journey from the King’s Hall in Stoke—where he began boxing professionally in 2017 at age 28—Heaney expressed gratitude and excitement for this final spectacle. Despite recent setbacks, including a loss to Welsh boxer Gerome Warburton in March, Heaney aims to finish on a high note.
Topping the bill at BP Pulse Live (formerly the NEC), Liam Davies faces Scotland’s Nathaniel Collins, a former British and Commonwealth champion and one of Davies’ past sparring partners. Davies, 30, respects Collins as a formidable opponent but is determined to win and prove he’s ready for a world title shot. Since suffering his only career defeat against Shabaz Masoud in November 2024, Davies has bounced back by winning the vacant IBF Inter-Continental featherweight title in May 2025 and capturing the European featherweight belt in March 2026. Another victory will reinforce his status and keep his title ambitions alive.
Davies is confident the fight will be a thrilling showdown: “It’s him or me, and I know who I’m picking every single time.” Looking beyond boxing, he plans to give back to his community by coaching young fighters in Telford, inspiring the next generation with his own journey as a hometown hero.
Fan Take: This weekend’s clash highlights both the nostalgia of a respected champion’s farewell and the exciting rise of a new contender aiming for global recognition. For fight fans, it’s a powerful reminder of boxing’s enduring thrill—a sport where legacies are both celebrated and forged anew.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
