When Queensberry return to the Telford International Centre on March 25, live on BT Sport, Nathan Heney will fight Jack Flatley again for the vacant WBA Continental middleweight title, and Andrew Cain will fight Ionut Baluta for his WBC International Silver super bantamweight title.
On the undercard of the Joe Joyce-Joseph Parker heavyweight fight, Stoke’s Heaney (16-0, 6 KOs) and Bolton’s Flatley (20-3-1, 4) fought for five rounds at the AO Arena in Manchester in September of last year.
After Heaney suffered a severe cut above his right eye in what appeared to be a close fight, the doctor advised that the fight be stopped in the fifth round. All three judges awarded Heaney the victory when the fight went to the scorecards.
WHAT TIME IS HEANEY VS. FLATLEY?
Date: Saturday, March 25
Start time: 7:45 p.m. GMT / 3:45 p.m. ET
Main event ringwalks (approx): 10:45 p.m. GMT / 6:45 p.m. ET
BT Sport will broadcast the fight in the UK The fight will take place at the Telford International Centre in Telford, England.
The main card is set to get underway at 7:45 p.m. GMT / 3:45 p.m. ET with the main event ringwalks scheduled for 10:45 p.m. GMT / 6:45 p.m. ET.
These timings could change due to the length of the undercard fights.
Cain, a Liverpool KO artist (10-0, 9) who defeated Pablo Ariel Gomez in the first round in Telford in April, went on to defeat Luis Moreno at York Hall with the same result. The 26-year-old was out of action in November due to a shoulder injury, but he will fight again against Baluta, a Romanian from Bushey who is 15-4, 4 and his toughest opponent to date.
Baluta defeated TJ Doheny, an Olympian from Ireland, and David Oliver Joyce, an Olympian from David Oliver Joyce, respectively, before defeating Brad Foster in May of last year to win the WBC International title.
In November, he fought Liam Davies for the vacant European title, but the Telford man won after 12 rounds.
The night also marks Jason Cunningham’s (31-7, 7) return to the ring as the former European super bantamweight champion.
Hitman Heaney, who is 33 years old, stated, “I am really looking forward to it, and I suppose it will be dubbed “unfinished business”.” They thought they were going to beat me in the last fight, and I thought the exact opposite, so there are questions that need to be answered.
Heaney added, “I am training hard and looking forward to being back in Telford with a great crowd.” He explained that Flatley’s team had made him feel like he was being pushed around on social media in the days after the first fight.
That is not the case, in fact. When people try to get me to do something, I think I don’t want anything to do with them. It was his second and others started talking, and once that happens, I stop caring about people.
“However, after speaking with George (Warren), it is an intriguing fight, and the fact that it is taking place on our terms rather than theirs is when I become interested. I’m not particularly interested in it when people try to force it, but now I’m all for it.
Previous English super welterweight champion and European title challenger Flatley, added: ” After how it ended last time, I’m over it and want to fight again. I’m thinking it’s been made again because I felt like I was getting into the fight and it ended the way it did.
To be honest, it was close, and when it came to a stop, I thought it was 50/50. Although they predicted him to win every round, I’m not saying I was ahead.
“I didn’t think this fight would come back, and I don’t think Nathan really wants it, deep down.” I’m surprised that he didn’t say he wouldn’t fight me on social media, but I made up it’s happening.
“I don’t know why he has changed his mind, but I think he might have been pushed into it or felt pressured by things that have been posted on social media and other places. I don’t know why, but I don’t think he really wants to fight, and I don’t know why.
Although I’m not claiming to be the best in the world, I think there might be a simpler option than mine. I want to defeat Nathan and then possibly try to win the British championship.
Cunningham, 33, lost to Zolani Tete at Wembley in July of last year, ending his winning streak at the weight. Cunningham now fights for the vacant WBO Intercontinental super bantamweight championship.
The fight between Cunningham and Liam Davies, who holds the European title, was initially scheduled to be postponed due to Davies’ injury.
Raven Chapman (5-0, 2), who defeated Jorgelina Guanini in Manchester in September, will also make her first defense of the WBC International featherweight title. In Telford, the Omen will face the Czech Lucie Sedlackova (15-1-1, 6)
Future heavyweight star Moses Itauma will fight for the second time in his professional career over four rounds, while Liverpool super bantam Brad Strand (9-0, 3) will fight for the third time in his professional career over eight rounds.
Frank Warren, the promoter, stated, “Settling the score with Jack Flatley is the right fight for Nathan Heaney, and I think we can expect fireworks on the night.” In the event that an entertaining fight comes to an unfavorable conclusion for either party, it is always best to hold a rematch in the hope of a successful conclusion.
Nathan must maintain his winning streak in order to fulfill his dream of competing for a major title at Stoke City FC, while Jack and his team will be interested in the position. I am anticipating the atmosphere that will be created by the best boxing crowd, and this fight will deliver.
“When Andrew Cain faces Ionut Baluta, I believe we are in for a humdinger of a fight. If Andrew is able to stop Baluta, it will shock everyone in the division because he has already stopped him twice in the first round. In his tenth professional fight, Brad Strand, Andrew’s teammate, will also move closer to title contention.
“Tragically, Jason Cunningham’s endeavor to recover the European title is deferred because of injury to Liam Davies, however Jason gets the chance to put himself solidly back in the blend in with a battle for the WBA Mainland super bantamweight title.
“The fans in Telford will also be treated to the second professional fight of future heavyweight champion Moses Itauma, assuming no mishaps or injuries occur on January 28.”
Worcester’s Owen Cooper, the Midlands Area welterweight champion, will fight for eight rounds, while Telford’s Macaulay Owen, a super lightweight, will fight for six rounds.
Ilkeston super welterweight Jimmy Smith will make his professional debut over four rounds while Natty Ngwenya (1-0) makes his Queensberry debut in a four-round bout.
HEANEY VS. FLATLEY CARD
Nathan Heaney vs. Jack Flatley; Middleweight
Andrew Cain vs. Ionut Baluta; Super bantamweight
Jason Cunningham vs. Miguel Gonzalez; Super bantamweight
Raven Chapman vs. Linda Laura Lecca; Featherweight
Brad Strand vs. Kevin Trana; Super bantamweight
Owen Cooper vs. Eber Tobar; Welterweight
Macauley Owen vs. Christian Lopez Flores; Super featherweight
Ezra Taylor vs. Ales Makovec; Light heavyweight
Ben Fail vs. Elgio Palacios; Light middleweight
Moses Itauma vs. Ramon Ibarra; Heavyweight
Natty Ngwenya vs. Pawel Strykowski; Cruiserweight
Jimmy Smith vs. MJ Hall; Middleweight
