Boxing
Nathan Heaney prepares for final year in boxing which starts on Itauma-Franklin undercard
Itauma vs Franklin: Subscribe to watch - Saturday
Saturday night is the beginning of the end for Nathan Heaney’s boxing career.
After nine years of lacing up the gloves, Heaney is set to begin his farewell tour on against Gerome Warburton, live on DAZN.
The pair clash on the undercard of Moses Itauma’s heavyweight fight against Jermaine Franklin, and for Heaney, it is one last roll of the dice in a career that has exceeded expectations.
Hailing from the city of Stoke-on-Trent, Heaney has been a phenomenon in recent years.
"Franklin's weapons are my question marks"
Watch: Moses Itauma on 'this perfect fight' (1.03)
With no prestigious amateur background, Heaney has risen through the ranks the hard way, building a big fanbase that now follows him to every fight, something akin to the heyday of the great Ricky Hatton.
Along the way, Heaney won a British middleweight title when he was at the peak of his powers following a thrilling battle with Denzel Bentley three years ago, but after losing to Brad Pauls in a rematch the following year, his career stumbled.
A stoppage loss to Sofiane Khati in February last year was ruled a no-contest after a doping violation by the latter before a win over Grant Dennis five months later in Heaney’s home city of Stoke.
Why is Heaney retiring at the end of 2026?
This turn of events has steered Heaney towards retirement and he explained to DAZN News why 2026 is his final year.
“The reason I’ve said this year is my last year, so I can put everything into it,” Heaney said.
“The dream is to fight at Stoke. If that can’t happen, there’s got to be something Frank can do with DAZN. I just think my city and I deserve one massive night before it all ends.
“It’s more for my wife as well. I’m 37 years old. Not many fighters go and compete at a very good level, and I’m feeling phenomenal.
“I’ve done 3,000 tickets, I’ve got to enjoy it.”
It’s rare to see fighters now amass sizable local followings, but in the spirit of the likes of Hatton and Josh Warrington, Heaney has a real connection to his fans.
One way he keeps this connection thriving is his desire to hand-deliver the majority of tickets to his fights.
Heaney often documents his trips around Staffordshire and sometimes beyond to hand over tickets and say ‘thank you’ personally, but with retirement pending, will hand-delivering tickets be something he will miss?
“I will really miss it, that’s the best part, the admin and dropping tickets off is hard work.
“There is no fighter in the history of British boxing that will have the connection with their supporters as I do.”
Heaney then went on to mention he has had a supporter from Exeter, just short of 200 miles from Stoke, who has been attending his fights since 2022, proving that the ‘Hitman’s’ reach is beyond just the Potteries.
Heaney promises bear pit atmosphere for Warburton fight
Heaney’s fanbase is one Warburton targeted when the pair first met in front of the media five months ago, questioning whether they really support the former British champion and taking aim at their football roots, with many being Stoke City supporters.
Reflecting on Warburton’s comments, Heaney claimed that the atmosphere on fight night will be even more intense inside the Co-op Live.
“It was a weird comment. I hate the word ‘fans’ anyway; they are my supporters, not fans.
“He has antagonised them by making the comments he made, the bear pit will now be ten times worse than what it would have been originally because they are now emotionally invested into it on the back of what he said about them.”
"I'm not interested in draws, only knockouts"
Watch: Itauma and Franklin make fight predictions to each other (1.17)
Those in the arena and watching at home will certainly know when the army of Stokies has arrived, as the noise levels ramp up with numerous renditions of Stoke City’s anthem ‘Delilah’ being the soundtrack for the undercard before Heaney makes his now infamous ringwalk.
If he manages to get the win, there is no doubt that the possibility of an event at the Bet365 Stadium will be mentioned once again, and for Heaney and his fans, it will be a missed opportunity if it cannot be made a reality.
Not only would it bring a major sporting event to the area, but also fulfil Heaney’s goal of showcasing his home city and its people to the rest of the world.
“I do represent my city as best as possible. I mention Stoke-on-Trent everywhere I go. I do that because, as a kid, I never saw Stoke on TV ever.
“I try to show that the people are amazing.”
Watch Itauma vs. Franklin with a DAZN subscription
Knockout sensation Moses Itauma faces his toughest test against Jermaine Franklin this Saturday night, March 28. Watch exclusively with a DAZN Ultimate subscription to also get PPVs Chisora vs. Wilder (April 4), Wardley vs. Dubois (May 9), and Usyk vs Verhoeven (May 23) included.
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