Nathan Heaney pays tribute to Steve Woodvine after winning British middleweight title - ‘The greatest man’

Nathan Heaney paid tribute to coach Steve Woodvine after defeating Denzel Bentley to win the British middleweight title.

Heaney's showdown against Bentley headlined the Magnificent 7 event in Manchester on Saturday, as the man from Stoke caused a huge upset in a deserved victory.

“It's absolutely phenomenal!” Heaney told TNT Sports after the fight.

“People always say I dreamt of being a world or British champion, but I never thought I could! I'd always underachieved as an amateur, was basically a journeyman and fought everyone.

“As a pro, I've had the backing of the greatest man I could've met Steve Woodvine. He was in my corner for the last-ever amateur fight I lost against Zach Parker eight years ago and two years later, he became a pro coach. He put the belief in me that only he could've done.

“My dad said the only one that could've looked after me was himself, but Steve Woodvine is just as good as my dad and loved me just like my dad did as well. Thanks very much Steve, it's all down to him.”

The 34-year-old now has his sights set on a world title fight next year at the bet365 Stadium – the home of his beloved Stoke City.

“I knew if I'm ever to get to Stoke City, I needed to beat someone like Denzel Bentley to prove that I deserved to be there.

“Simon King [chief operating officer at Stoke City] said to me that he wants to put events on in the summer at the ground, and I could be responsible for one of the biggest sporting events we've had in the city.

“So Simon if you're watching, let's get this sorted. John Coates [Stoke City chief executive] loves his boxing, so let's make an event that this city will get a legacy from.

“Frank [Warren] said the winner will fight for a world title next year. So I've got to take him at his word and let's get a world title at the ground. I don't care if I win or lose, let's just get there!”

Those sentiments were echoed by the man himself, who reflected on a stellar night of boxing shown live on TNT Sports.

“Let's try and do that in the summer in a big fight, or the spring," said Warren. “Tonight was a battle of the nice guys, two of the nicest guys in boxing that are a credit to British boxing and British sport.

“It was a fabulous fight and all the critics got it wrong. He's [Heaney] not a one-trick pony, he came to fight and really showed that he’s a decent fighter.

“It wasn't Denzel's night, but maybe down the road they could do a rematch. But it was a fantastic night of boxing.”

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