NATHAN HEANEY REPORTS that his dashing good looks are still intact with his facial features having survived a brush with the dome of Jack Flatley back in September.

Heaney and Flatley were approaching the midway point of a fascinating title fight at the Manchester Arena when battle was halted after Heaney was sliced open above the right eye following a heavy clash of heads.

The fight was stopped on medical advice by referee Steve Gray and Stoke favourite Heaney was judged to be leading on all three cards, therefore retaining his IBO International middleweight title.

The Stoke vs Bolton rivalry will now resume at the Telford International Centre on March 25 when the pair will rematch with the WBA Continental title on the line.

Despite the severity of the wound, Heaney reveals that the fight night doctor adopted a less is more approach when it came to sewing up the gash.

“To be fair it actually healed, superficially, in about a week,” said the 33-year-old ‘Hitman’. “It was dead weird, it was like it never happened a week later. But, I didn’t get punched on it for at least eight weeks after, when I started sparring again.

“Now it is bang-on.

“He literally put four stitches in and I thought ‘is that it?’ for like a cut of that size. So he put four in and two of them fell out two days later!

“When I saw the surgeon in Stoke, he said the doctor at the fight did great because the less stitches you have, the less tight it is in the seal. If it is too tight, basically the skin dies in the seal where the pressure is too much and it doesn’t heal as well.

“So I was buzzing with that, really,” continued Heaney, who has recently sat down to assess his abbreviated night’s work in Manchester.

“I actually watched it back the other day because I hadn’t watched it for ages. The way I felt the fight was going was I was in complete control and I was picking the pace up going into round five.

“Even the round where the commentators had him winning, if I was being very generous, I’d give it a 10-10. I still thought I was winning it when I watched it back.

“He caught me with a right hand in round three, but just because he caught me with a shot doesn’t mean he was winning it, he just did better than he did in the first two when I was jabbing him.

“The way I saw it, I was controlling all the rounds and then picking the pace up. That is why I was moving more and throwing more combinations, which is what led to the head clash coming because he lunged in while I was moving in and out.

“That is how I felt it was going,” concluded Heaney, who went on to answer whether he feels the sequel will follow a similar pattern.

“I would imagine he has to start at a fast pace, but that is a double edged sword because it is a 10-round fight. Unless he believes he can go in there and stop me within the first five rounds… I don’t think he has got the power to do that.

“That is the only way he could change it, but if he gets to round five by setting a really high pace he has got another five rounds of me sticking the jab in his face and stuff.

“In the first few rounds you are gauging each other and setting a game plan. It wasn’t a terribly exciting first five rounds first time around and the exciting part would have been in that second half.

“Now we’ve got the chance to do it again with the crowd much closer this time because my guys were in the gods last time. I don’t think he felt the atmosphere like he will at this event because ticket sales have gone amazing, as always.

“It is a much tighter arena and it will be very loud in there.”

Tickets for the Telford show headlined by Heaney vs Flatley 2 and Cain vs Baluta at Telford International Centre on Saturday, 25 March are on sale now from: ticketmaster.co.uk.

NATHAN HEANEY WILL rematch Jack Flatley with the vacant WBA Continental middleweight title at stake and Andrew Cain will defend his WBC International Silver super bantamweight title against Ionut Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday March 25, live on BT Sport.

Tickets for the Telford show headlined by Heaney vs Flatley 2 and Cain vs Baluta at Telford International Centre on Saturday, 25 March are on sale now available from ticketmaster.co.uk.

NATHAN HEANEY WILL rematch Jack Flatley with the vacant WBA Continental middleweight title at stake and Andrew Cain will defend his WBC International Silver super bantamweight title against Ionut Baluta when Queensberry make a return to the Telford International Centre on Saturday March 25, live on BT Sport.

Stoke hero Heaney (16-0, 6 KOs) and Bolton man Flatley (20-3-1, 4) shared five rounds of action at the AO Arena in Manchester back in September of last year on the undercard of the Joe Joyce-Joseph Parker heavyweight collision.

What appeared to be a close run affair was aborted in the fifth round on the advice of the doctor following a head clash that left Heaney with a severe cut above his right eye. The fight went to the scorecards and Heaney was judged to have been ahead by all three judges.

Liverpool KO-artist Cain (10-0, 9) won his belt via a first-round stoppage of Pablo Ariel Gomez in Telford last April before defending at York Hall against Luis Moreno with the same outcome. A shoulder injury ruled the 26-year-old out of November action but he is set to go again against his toughest opponent to date in Baluta (15-4, 4), the Romanian based in Bushey.

A winner over Irish world champion and Olympian, TJ Doheny and David Oliver Joyce respectively, Baluta went on to fight a close run thing with Michael Conlan before winning the WBC International title by defeating Brad Foster in May of last year.

He then challenged for the vacant European title against Liam Davies in November, with the Telford man prevailing over 12 rounds.

The night that will also see the return of former European super bantamweight champion Jason Cunningham (31-7, 7) to the ring.

“I am really looking forward to it and I suppose it will be dubbed ‘unfinished business’,” said the 33-year-old Hitman Heaney. “There are questions that need answers, with them thinking they were going to beat me in the last fight and me believing the complete opposite.

“I am training hard and looking forward to being back in Telford with a great crowd,” added Heaney, who explained that his apparent unwillingness over the prospect of a rematch on social media in the days after the original fight was due to a feeling of being railroaded by Flatley’s team.

“No, that is not the case. Once people try to force my hand into doing something I immediately think I want nothing to do with them. It was his second and others popping up saying things and, for me, once that happens, I have zero interest in people.

“But, after speaking to George (Warren) it is an interesting fight and when it is on our terms rather than theirs, that is when I become interested. When people try to force it, it doesn’t interest me at all, but now I am right up for it.”

Former English super welterweight champion and European title challenger Flatley, added: “I’m made up and this fight is what I wanted after how it ended last time. I felt like I was getting into the fight, and it ended like it did, so I am buzzing it has been made again.

“Being honest, it was close, and I thought it was 50-50 when it got stopped. I’m not saying I was in front, but they had him winning every round.

“I didn’t think this fight was going to happen again and I don’t think, deep down, Nathan really wants it. He pretty much said on social media that he wasn’t going to fight me, so I am quite surprised, but made up it is happening.

“I don’t know why he has changed his mind and I feel like he might have been pushed into it, or he might have felt pressured by what’s gone on social media and stuff. I don’t know the reason, but I don’t really believe he fully wants to have the fight.

“I think there could probably be an easier option than me, although I’m not saying I’m a world-beater. I want to beat Nathan and then possibly be looking for a shot at the British title after that.”

The 33-year-old Cunningham’s winning run at the weight was ended by Zolani Tete at Wembley in July of last year and Cunningham now gets back on the title trail with a fight for the vacant WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight championship.

Cunningham was originally set to attempt to reclaim his European title from Liam Davies, but injury to the Telford man means the fight is now subject to delay.

Also on the card, Raven Chapman (5-0, 2) will make a first defence of the WBC International featherweight title she won by defeating Jorgelina Guanini in Manchester back in September. The Omen will take on the Czech Lucie Sedlackova (15-1-1, 6) in Telford.

Heavyweight star of the future Moses Itauma will have his second professional fight over four rounds, while Liverpool super bantam Brad Strand (9-0, 3) will hit double figures as a pro with an eight-round assignment.

“Settling the score with Jack Flatley is the right fight for Nathan Heaney and I think we can expect fireworks on the night,” said promoter Frank Warren. “When you have an unsatisfactory ending for both parties in an entertaining fight it is always best to do a rematch in the hope of a conclusive finish.

“Jack’s and his team will fancy the job, while Nathan needs to maintain his winning streak in order to realise his dream of fighting for a major title at Stoke City FC. This fight will deliver the goods and I am looking forward to the atmosphere created by the best crowd in boxing.

“I think we have got a humdinger of a fight in prospect when Andrew Cain takes on Ionut Baluta. Andrew comes in off two spectacular first round stoppages and if he can stop Baluta it will send shockwaves across the division. I am also excited to see Andrew’s teammate Brad Strand move towards title contention in what will be his 10th fight as a pro.

“Unfortunately, Jason Cunningham’s attempt to regain the European title is delayed due to injury to Liam Davies, but Jason gets the opportunity to put himself firmly back in the mix with a fight for the WBA Continental super bantamweight title.

“Barring any mishaps or injuries on January 28, the fans in Telford will also be treated to seeing the second professional fight of future heavyweight champion Moses Itauma.”

Midlands Area welterweight champion Owen Cooper (7-0, 2) from Worcester will be in eight-round action, Telford super lightweight Macaulay Owen (5-0, 1) will fight over six.

While Natty Ngwenya (1-0) makes his Queensberry bow in a four-rounder, Ilkeston super welterweight Jimmy Smith will make his professional debut over four rounds.

Tickets for Heaney vs Flatley and Cain vs Baluta at the Telford International Centre on Saturday March 25 go on sale at 11am on Tuesday January 31 available from Ticketmaster.co.uk.

Joe Joyce won the WBO Interim Heavyweight title with an 11th round stoppage over former WBO champion Joseph Parker at the AO Arena in Manchester, England.

In round two, Parker began to bleed from his nose. In round six, he began to bleed from around his right eye.

In round 11, Joyce landed a booming heft hook that put Parker on the canvas. Parker was badly hurt, and the fight was stopped at 1:03.

Joyce, 271 lbs of England is 15-0 with 14 knockouts. Parker, 255 lbs of South Auckland, NZ is 30-3.

Serrano becomes Undisputed Featherweight Champion

Amanda Serrano became the undisputed Featherweight champion with a 10-round unanimous decision over Sarah Mahfoud.

In round two, Mahfoud was cut on her hairline from a clash of heads.

Serrano, 124 lbs of Brooklyn, NY was the WBA/WBO/WBC champion, added Mahfoud’s IBF belt by scores of 99-92 and 97-93 twice and is now 43-2-1. Mahfoud, 124 lbs of Copenhagen, DEN is 11-1.

Nathan Heaney won a technical unanimous decision over Jack Flatley when a headbutt caused a bad gash over the right eye of Heaney in round five.

Heaney won by scores of 50-45 and 49-46 twice and is now 16-0. Flatley is 19-3-1.

Anthony Cacace won a 12-round split-decision over Mark Magnesi in a super featherweight bout.

In round five, Cacace was cut over the left eye.

Cacace, 129 lbs of Belfast, NI won by scores of 117-111, 116-112 and Magnesi took a card 116-112.

Cacace is 20-1. Magnesi, 129 lbs of Italy is 21-1.

Ekow Essuman won a 12-round unanimous decision over Samuel Antwi.

Essuman won by scores of 117-112, 116-113 and 115-113 and is now 18-0. Antwi is 14-2.

Mark Heffron destroyed Martin Balucio in the opening round of their super middleweight bout,

In the opening round, Heffron landed a hard right that was followed by a crunching left hook and then a right to the chin the froze Balucio and the bout was stopped at

Heffron is now 30-2-1 with 23 knockouts. Balucio of Argentina is 10-7.

Raven Chapman won a eight-round unanimous decision over Jorgelina Guanini

THE HONEYMOON IS on hold for newlywed Nathan Heaney due to a big night beckoning at the AO Arena, Manchester, where he takes on a domestic battle with Jack Flatley on September 24.

Heaney recently tied the knot with Louise, his sweetheart of 11 years, but he knew plans for a sunshine break to mark the occasion would have to be put to one side because a spot on the blockbuster Joyce-Parker card had been earmarked for him and his army of supporters.

Heaney, 33 and 15-0, comes into the Flatley fight off three impressive and hard-fought victories over international opposition, with two stoppages over Konstantin Aleksandrov and Sladan Janjanin before he recovered from a first round knockdown to comfortably outpoint Diego Ramirez.

Now he is set for a Stoke v Bolton collision against Flatley with his IBO International middleweight belt on the line.

He hopes skipping the post-wedding sunshine will be a sacrifice worth making.

“The only thing is having to hold off on the honeymoon because of fighting on the Joyce card, which is a bit of a nightmare, but, but, if everything goes well and I’m sure it will do, it will all be worth it.

“I need to keep the paypackets going now!”

Heaney missed out on a night’s pay when injury ruled him out of the July show at the SSE Arena, Wembley – a night also headlined by Joyce – and he was denied the opportunity of leading his troops into London.

“It was really disappointing, mostly for the fact I would have been fighting in the capital and a new place for my guys to go to. I went down to the show to support and watch it and I thought to myself that the place would have been full of Stokies.

“Over 650 bought tickets off me and, as we got closer, there would have been another 50 or so and it would have been really, really good just to show Frank and everyone where my guys will travel to.

“It obviously didn’t happen and it would have been very silly of me to fight with an injury,” added Heaney, who reports that all is now well on the fitness front.

“I basically sprained a ligament in the back of my shoulder and I had an MRI to check whether it was torn or not. If it was, it would have been really, really bad and I would have had to have surgery, but my injury was more a degeneration of the whole shoulder, which was why I was getting a lot of pain.

“Since I have had treatment it has been really good. I have been boxing for 23 years and it is essentially just wear and tear.”

Tickets for ‘Nowhere to Run’ – the heavyweight clash between Joe Joyce and Joe Parker on 24 September at the AO Arena, Manchester being shown exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office – are priced from £40 and are on sale now exclusively from Ticketmaster.co.uk.

As well as the huge Joyce vs Parker clash, ‘Nowhere To Run’ will see Amanda Serrano bidding to win four world title belts at featherweight when the Puerto Rican superstar makes her UK debut against the unbeaten Dane, Sarah Mahfoud.

Queensberry fighters Anthony Cacace, Ekow Essuman, Raven Chapman and Mark Heffron all feature in the supporting cast of the 24 September ‘Nowhere to Run’ blockbuster at the AO Arena, Manchester, a fight night not-to-be-missed.

Tickets for ‘Nowhere to Run’ – the heavyweight clash between Joe Joyce and Joe Parker on 24 September at the AO Arena, Manchester being shown exclusively live on BT Sport Box Office – are priced from £40 and are on sale now exclusively from Ticketmaster.co.uk.

Kerman Lejarraga stopped Jack Flatley in round nine of their 12-round junior middleweight bout in Spain.

In round one, Lejarraga dropped Flatley with a jab.

In round nine, Lejarraga dropped Flatley “Flat” on his back with a right hand, and the fight was stopped.

Lejarraga is now 34-2 with 26 knockouts. Flatley is 17-2.

JJ METCALF is ready to start making up for lost time and wiping out the British Super-Welterweight division, with Fowler, Fitzgerald and Flatley high on his F heavy hitlist.

Queensberry Promotions supremo Frank Warren is meeting Matchroom boss Eddie Hearn in the near future to discuss the promotional rivals boxers facing each other.

And one of the potential mouthwatering clashes is a local derby between Warren’s Commonwealth Super-Welterweight champion Metcalf and Matchroom-backed Fowler.

Metcalf (21-0, 13 KOs) must come through a tricky first  title defence against Bolton’s Jack Flatley (16-1-1, 4 KOs) at BT Sports Studio on Saturday October 10.

British champion Scott Fitzgerald has been ordered to defend the title against Metcalf, but the domestic title holder’s future is uncertain.

That could clear the path for Metcalf to face Fowler for the vacant British crown in a battle that would split Liverpool fight fans.

Metcalf is an Everton fan and Fowler supports Liverpool.

Metcalf who is ranked at five in the IBF rankings for Jermell Charlo’s world title said: “Fighting Fowler would be brilliant for Liverpool and capture the imagination especially as we’re both going well in our careers.

“A fight against Fowler in Liverpool is a big fight, and hopefully that comes off, but I would prefer to fight Scott Fitzgerald, right now.

“The reason I’d rather fight him than Fowler is that he is the British champion. I’d rather beat a champion than fight Fowler for the vacant title.

“Fitzgerald has beaten Fowler and Ted Cheeseman so it would be a better win for me, but I still have to get over Jack Flatley.

“I don’t know what the issues are with Scott, but he should start defending or relinquish the title.”

In the meantime, Metcalf is under no illusions about the ability of Flatley who he knows well having sparred “30 or 40 rounds.”

Flatley is always in thrillers and his brutal draw against Troy Williamson in June 2018 was one of the best fights seen in a British ring that year.

Hand injuries have caused Metcalf’s career to stall and since his title winning performance when he stopped Jason Welborn in June 2019, he has boxed just once.

On that occasion in February, Jan Balog was stopped in just 32 seconds.

Metcalf, the son of former top pro Shea Neary explained: “Before the Welborn fight I broke my hand quite badly and needed an operation, so I rolled the dice with that fight and took it.

“I had the operation afterwards and it took time to make a full recovery.

“I am not worried about the hand.I think it will be okay when I defend the title against Jack and it will work out okay on the night.

“I’ve been using it in sparring and it has felt okay so I am not worried. I think this operation has sorted it out.

“I’ve done loads of sparring with Jack and not even long ago either. The last time would have been last year. I know his style and how he will go about the fight.

“He is tough, strong, fit and throws a lot of shots. It will be a tough fight and no walk in the park.

“I could have done with a few more rounds since I won the title, but I have done good sparring and I’m prepared.”

Metcalf v Flatley is on a card headed by Welsh ace Liam Williams who defends his British Middleweight crown against mandatory challenger Andrew Robinson.

Watch Williams vs Robinson, Saturday on BT Sport 1 HD – Coverage starts at 7pm.