Nathan Heaney

Boxing Middleweight

Nathan Heaney is an English professional boxer from Stoke-on-Trent and a former British middleweight champion. In addition to his titles, he gained widespread recognition for his ring walks accompanied by a local male choir.

Profile

The story

Heaney made his professional debut in November 2017 after previously working as a qualified teacher. He won the Midlands Area title in 2019, the IBO Continental super-middleweight title in 2020, the IBO Continental middleweight title in 2021, and the WBA Continental title in 2023. On November 4, 2023, he defeated Denzel Bentley for the British middleweight championship. This made him the first British middleweight champion from Stoke-on-Trent. In July 2024, he lost the title to Brad Pauls. His bout against Sofiane Khati was later ruled a no contest after Khati committed a doping violation. Heaney is also known for having a local men's choir perform during his ring walk, a tradition that has significantly raised his public profile.

In the ring

Fighting style

Orthodox, technically skilled boxer with a reach of approximately 188 centimetres. His ring walk accompanied by a local men's choir is a recognisable part of his public identity.

Results

Performance

British middleweight champion. WBA Continental middleweight champion. IBO Continental middleweight and super-middleweight champion. Midlands Area middleweight champion. First British middleweight champion from Stoke-on-Trent.

Over the years

Timeline

November 2017: professional debut.
June 2019: wins the Midlands Area middleweight championship.
March 2020: wins the IBO Continental super-middleweight title.
November 2021: wins the IBO Continental middleweight title.
March 2023: wins the WBA Continental middleweight title.
November 4, 2023: defeats Denzel Bentley and wins the British middleweight championship.
July 2024: loses the British championship to Brad Pauls.
February 2025: bout against Sofiane Khati is later ruled a no contest.
March 2026: loses to Gerome Warburton for the vacant WBA Continental middleweight title.

Influence

Legacy

Heaney is regarded as a beloved regional figure in Stoke-on-Trent. Winning the British title made him the city’s first middleweight champion, while his ring walks accompanied by a male choir earned him a distinctive place in British boxing culture.

Moments