Boxer eyes one more fight after home victory

Boxer Nathan Heaney has said he is still focused on a further fight in his native Stoke-on-Trent, after victory in the city.

The former British middleweight champion beat Grant Dennis on points in their eight-round non-title fight at the King's Hall on Saturday.

Heaney told BBC Radio Stoke he would have retired had the bout not gone his way, and that his wife Louise "would love it if I didn't get punched any more".

But he confirmed he wanted to fight again, at Stoke City Football Club's ground, in about a year's time.

"I think the only thing we deserve... is [a fight at] the ground. Just for that final once-in-a-lifetime event for the city," he said.

Ahead of the match against Dennis, Heaney said he was determined to "win and it will remind Frank Warren why he signed me all those years ago."

Reacting to the points win over Dennis, Heaney said he felt "relief, more than anything when they said 'Nathan Heaney.. the winner'".

"There were times when I was thinking 'am I letting him hit me with too many shots?'

"They only have to catch you with one hook and the judges will sway to them."

He expressed disappointment in not achieving a knockout in the final round.

Nonetheless, Heaney thanked his home crowd for an "incredible" reaction to the victory.

"That's why now I'm just saying the only fight now is Stoke [City FC]. I've given my all throughout my career, and I think the only thing we deserve as a city, and myself, is [a match at] the ground."

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