Thirty-five-year-old Nathan Heaney left everything in the ring when he took on Brad Pauls for his British and WBA continental titles in an epic rematch at the Resorts World Birmingham (20.7.24). The Stoke-born fighter was defending his title for the second time against Paul’s after a cracking first encounter which ended in a split draw decision. Heaney had sold over two thousand tickets for this himself in a packed out arena in Birmingham, Heaney weighed in eleven stone four with Pauls coming in eleven stone five with Michael Alexander reffing.
Heaney used his jab well in the first keeping it long landing some nice backhands winning the round. Heaney continued to control the distance and the pace of the second shooting out the jab and straight backhands, Pauls could not really get close. Pauls was looking to get close at the start of the third and had a bit of joy, but Heaney continued to keep it long landing some nice backhands controlling the contest. Heaney was sticking to the plan in the fourth keeping it long with Pauls landing the odd shot, it was looking like another Heaney round until Pauls landed a cracking right hand putting Heaney down. Heaney got to his feet and managed to see the round out.
Pauls came out confident in the fifth and was now timing Heaney’s jabs and landing good shots of his own. Heaney got some good shots of his own but this was Pauls round. Pauls was closing the gap now and landed some big shots as Heaney struggled to keep it long with Pauls winning the round. Heaney started to use his jab again in the seventh and was keeping Pauls at bay, Pauls had some joy landing some big shits sharing the round. The right round was a back and fourth round as Heaney landed good shots but every shot Pauls landed had intent with Pauls winning the round.
Pauls was on the front foot at the start of the ninth but Heaney was determined to land some nice body shots and seemed to hurt Pauls, Heaney got this one for me. Heaney got back on his jab in the tenth landed some nice, two’s, and countered Pauls attacks winning the round. Great back-and-forth eleventh round with both fighters having joy, Pauls landed some big shots at the end of the round with Heaney somehow staying on his feet and seeing out the round. Pauls came out strong in the final round landing big hooks with Heaney looking like he had nothing left, Heaney went down and referee Michael Alexander counted the Stoke Warrior out.
Pauls wins a twelfth-round stoppage.
Dexter’s Thoughts
The first thing I’ll say is what a fight, I thought the first fight was good but this was even better. Heaney had a plan and it was working but when Pauls dropped him in the fourth it became a harder task. Heaney battled hard and fine his massive following proud but tonight was just beaten by the better boxer on the night. At thirty-five it may be hard for Heaney to want to carry on as he has already had a stellar career, but he still looks like he has a lot to offer, and with such a massive following he may be able to rebuild and give one more crack at it. Congratulations to Brad Pauls for his win and well done to Nathan Heaney for being in a cracking contest.
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