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Boxing

New champion wants Janibek Alimkhanuly fight next

New champion wants Janibek Alimkhanuly fight nextMikey Williams/Top Rank
The middleweight is aiming for a step up.

Nathan Heaney is aiming to become a unified heavyweight champion.

The veteran Englishman became the British middleweight title holder after defeating Denzel Bentley in a surprising but deserved upset victory.

Heaney is undefeated, with a record of 18-0, and said that promoter Frank Warren had aimed to put the winner of last Saturday’s contest in contention for a world title shot.

“Frank [Warren] said the winner [Bentley or Heaney] fights for a world title and I think there’s no reason why I can’t fight Janibek [Alimkhanuly] and do my best,” Heaney said, reported Yahoo Sports.
“Bentley did a very good job against Alimkhanuly himself [a unanimous points defeat].

“Styles make fights and that could be a very exciting thing to happen.

“I want any of the world titles. Janibek has two world titles and so he’d be the best one to fight because you can get two birds with one stone there providing I can beat him.

“It lays the foundation to fulfil my dream which is to fight at Stoke City’s football ground.”

Looking back at his comprehensive victory, Heaney described how he controlled much of the fight.

“Watching the fight back at times I was playing with one of the most dangerous middleweights in the division,” he added.

“He laid out his last title defence in 45 seconds but I’m in there with my hands on my thighs and I’m doing a little shoulder shimmy.

“Steve [Woodvine] told me exactly how to beat Denzel Bentley.

“In the first round I was moving my feet and I thought ‘he can’t close me down’. The plan Steve had set out for me was absolutely perfect.

“It must have been disheartening for him [Bentley] to be told before he’s going to knock me out and then not be able to land a shot on me.

“It was full of emotion. Some fighters online after I boxed behind closed doors said I’ll never get beyond area level.”

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