Nathan Heaney, the Stoke-on-Trent boxer who recently announced his retirement, expressed heartfelt gratitude to his devoted fans for their incredible support during his final fight. The 37-year-old, once the British middleweight champion, was defeated on points by Welsh boxer Gerome Warburton in Birmingham last Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Heaney admitted he had placed immense pressure on himself to win, worrying that a loss would spoil everything. However, after the official decision, he saw around 2,000 supporters—likely even more—still in the arena, cheering and singing, which immediately eased his disappointment. He credited his fans with making the nights memorable, saying that while he won titles, it was their energy that truly shaped those moments. Heaney thanked everyone in attendance, calling them “very special people.”
Heaney turned professional in 2017 and finished his career with 19 victories, one draw, and three losses out of 23 fights. He captured the British title in November 2023 by defeating Denzel Bentley, drew with Brad Pauls during his first title defense in March 2024, and then lost the rematch to Pauls four months later.
Looking back on his journey, Heaney expressed pride in his accomplishments despite some critical comments online. While some people labeled him as “average,” he noted that becoming the British middleweight champion is no small feat and considered it a major achievement.
Fan Take: Nathan Heaney’s retirement marks the end of a passionate era for Stoke-on-Trent boxing fans who witnessed his grit and heart firsthand. His career serves as a reminder that determination and community support are just as vital to the sport as championship belts, inspiring upcoming fighters to cherish both their victories and their fans.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
