Nathan “Hitman’ Heaney surging to the top

Professional boxer Nathan “Hitman” Heaney is not only the first Stoke fighter to win the IBO Continental belt – but he has also been snapped up by legendary boxing promoter Frank Warren.

The 31-year-of Trentham, who won the IBO super middleweight title in March this year, has an unbeaten professional record and duly impresses wherever he fights.

Nathan is now very much looking forward to fighting in front of his loyal supporters for the TV cameras after signing a two-year deal with Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions.

“To be signed up by someone like Frank Warren is every boxers dream,”said Nathan. “I’ve signed a two-year deal which I assume means that they want to work with me for the long term and hopefully get some big fight nights arranged.

“I have boxed on TV before when I was on a card shown on BT Sport, and although I got a good prime slot, it’s not like it’s going to be for me now.”

As well as being well on the way to fulfilling his dreams, Nathan is hoping he can bring a big fight to his home town.

“I have always wanted to fight at the Bet 365 Stadium,” adds the avid Stoke City Supporter. “It would be amazing to be able to do that, and now having Frank Warren behind me I think it could be doable – we will just have to see.”

The recent title fight, which saw Nathan beat Christian Schembri by unanimous decision, was the father of one’s tenth successive win. The fight took place at the Kings Hall, in Stoke in front of a huge crowd. Nathan’s ring walk to the Stoke City anthem Delilah also went viral on social media.

Nathan Heaney with his IBO Continental belt.

“My supporters have been amazing,” said Nathan. “I thank them all from the bottom of my heart. I’ve had people coming to support me since my very first fight. Others met me on fourth fight and haven’t missed a fight since – it’s incredible and they are so loyal.

“I have a lot of support around me and I really, really appreciate it.

“I am now really looking forward to getting back in the ring and fighting on TV. I will do my best for all of my supporters and I also want to do Stoke-on-Trent proud. I am very much a Stoke-on-Trent lad and I am very, very proud where I come from.”

Nathan, who usually trains with coach Steve Woodvine at Orme Boxing Gym, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, has been adapting his training schedule at home since the coronavirus pandemic hit.

He said: “I have a punch dummy in the garden which is great and I’ve been able to do some running. I also have some heavy dumbbells which were borrowed to me so I’ve been able to carry on training, but I cannot wait to get back training again with Steve and sparring at Orme Gym.”

Promoter Frank Warren looks after some of the best in British boxing, including Tyson Fury, carl Frampton and Nathan Gorman.

A date for Nathan’s first fight under Queensberry Promotions has not been confirmed yet but Nathan is hoping for it to be later this year or early 2021.

(Main image courtesy of Manjit Narotra.)

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