Meir’s Nathan Heaney – Boxing Brilliance

Nathan Heaney, of Meir has lived, breathed and sweated boxing since he was a young child. Growing up under the watchful eye of his father, Joseph, also a former boxer, Nathan’s first taste of the gym came at the age of nine. At age 11 he stepped into the ring for the first time to fight. His love for the sport grew, as he grew, and his passion saw him fight 90 times in the amateur ranks. At the age of 26, the birth of his daughter instigated some breathing space from the sport and it was 2017 when the proud Stokie reviewed his position and returned to training – and earned his professional status.

“I first fought when I was 11 and then boxed every year until the age of 26,” said Nathan. “I’d had 90 amateur fights and was sort of coming to the end as an amateur and I wasn’t sure where to go. My daughter was also born and I wanted some family time and a break from the sport, which to be fair taking that break did me good. Having that break allowed me to start enjoying the sport again.”

After talks with now manager and BCB (Black Country Boxing) promotor Errol Johnson, Nathan started back on a training schedule in August 2017. After two successful professional fights Nathan fought on the undercard of Hughie Fury v Sam Sexton – a British heavyweight title – which was shown on free-to-air TV on May 12, 2018.

Before his fight on the Fury undercard Nathan said: “I never thought I’d get the chance for such an opportunity so soon. I thought I’d have to at least fight about six or ten times to get a shot at a TV appearance, but Errol is behind me and I think he thinks I will put a good show on and I have a good following. I will do the best I can.”

Nathan, who has also sparred with Jason Welborn who picked up a British middleweight title in May, put on a good show for his supporters in Bolton and won his fight against Sean Gorman by technical knock out before going on to win his next fight at the Kings Hall, in Stoke-on-Trent against Patryk Buczek.

As an experienced amateur Nathan, who is coached by Steve Woodvine at Orme Amateur Boxing Club, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, is all too familiar with what is required for training purposes, but he is also mindful of the differences when fighting in the professional ranks.

He adds: “Training is not much different to be honest. I have always trained hard and I continue to train hard. It’s important I keep up my running and things and also my endurance to help keep you going in the later rounds.

“I have also gained the experience of sparring with someone who has fought for a title that I want to achieve and it’s given me an insight of how well I would cope at that level.”

Nathan admits he never originally foresaw a professional career in boxing, but with the support he has built up and the experiences gained so far have made him hungrier than ever to pursue the sport which has always been in his blood.

“I know I do have some ability and I know if opportunities come around I can do reasonably well and I do want to go for title fights,” Nathan said. “I first need to win a Midlands title and then move on to National titles. I beat a lot of lads as an amateur who have gone on to win titles and I believe I can do that, I’ve just got to keep working at it and work my way there.”

Nathan adds: “I’d also like to say a big thank you to everyone who is supporting me it means such a lot and I want to do well for all my followers.”

Nathan Heaney was born into a world of boxing, he’s pursued a sport he has a passion for and is destined to shine in!