Nathan Heaney Suffers Shock Defeat to Sofiane Khati

Nathan Heaney, a Stoke City fan favorite, experienced a disappointing defeat against Sofiane Khati at Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena. The fight, for the WBA Middleweight Continental Europe title, saw Khati stop Heaney in the seventh round, marking Heaney’s second consecutive loss after previously losing his British middleweight title to Brad Pauls.

The Fight’s Progression

The initial rounds were engaging, with Heaney utilizing his left jab and Khati attempting to close the distance. Heaney landed a strong right cross in the first round, but Khati absorbed it well. The pattern continued into the second round, with Heaney working behind his jab and Khati trying to get inside. When Khati managed to get inside, he found success but often had to endure Heaney’s sharp right hand.

By the fourth round, Khati appeared to have caused damage to Heaney’s nose and began to dictate the pace. Heaney seemed uncomfortable fighting on the back foot and absorbed several right hands before the round concluded. Heaney showed improvement in the fifth round, but two sharp left hooks caused him to stumble. Heaney managed to hold on and avoid further damage until the bell. While Heaney had some success in the sixth round, Khati’s speed allowed him to counter effectively.

The Turning Point

The seventh round proved decisive. Khati landed a powerful left that shook Heaney, followed by a right hand that sent him to the canvas. Heaney bravely rose to his feet and spat out his gum shield in an attempt to buy time. Despite his grit, Khati continued his attack, and referee Bob Williams intervened at 1:08 of the seventh round to prevent Heaney from taking further punishment.

Background on Nathan Heaney

Nathan Heaney, 35, entered the fight with a professional record of 18 wins, including six knockouts, one draw and one defeat. The Stoke-on-Trent native had significant support, with approximately 2,000 Stokies cheering him on. His ring walk, accompanied by Stoke City fans singing Delilah, is a well-known tradition. Prior to this fight, Heaney expressed his gratitude for the support he receives from Stoke-on-Trent.

Sofiane Khati’s Performance

Sofiane Khati, 32, now holds a record of 18 wins and 5 losses. Khati’s victory was a shock to many in attendance.

Undercard Highlights

The event also featured Jack Rafferty successfully defending his British junior welterweight title against Reece MacMillan. Rafferty dominated the fight, ultimately stopping MacMillan in the seventh round.

Rafferty, now 25-0 with 16 KOs, controlled the action from the start, establishing his jab early. MacMillan, now 17-2 with 2 KOs, showed resilience but struggled to cope with Rafferty’s attacks. Rafferty’s body attack proved effective, slowing MacMillan down and leading to the stoppage in the seventh round.