Easter Saturday billed as date for Nathan Wheatley to make ring return after nine-month layoff
Unbeaten Nathan Wheatley (7-0) from Warrington has received confirmation of his next fight on March 31 at the Preston Guild Hall on the undercard of the English light-heavyweight championship clash between champion Liam Conroy (15-3-1) and challenger Miles Shinkwin (14-3).
The Cheshire middleweight will have his first fight under the guidance of new trainer Matthew Hatton at super-welterweight over four three-minute rounds, with his opponent yet to be arranged.
When Wheatley steps through those ropes on the MTK Manchester show on the 90th day of 2018, it would have been a full year since his last fight.
“The Wire” has been struggling with a shoulder injury since his second bout back in 2015 and was forced to withdraw from a Central Area middleweight championship contest last May at Manchester’s Bowlers Arena.
The missed title shot was the final impact in tending to the crocked shoulder after suffering for so long.
The 29-year-old damaged his shoulder during a sparring session at Oliver Harrison’s gym almost three years ago, which got progressively worse as he continued in his career.
After extensive physio treatment, Nathan is now back in the gym with new coach Matthew Hatton, after splitting with former trainer Kieran Farrell.
Wheatley initially turned pro under the watchful eye of Harrison, but they parted ways after just two fights. Wheatley went on to have five fights under Kieran Farrell’s management before eventually teaming up with Matthew Hatton last year.
The 154-pounder is thrilled to be fighting at the Guild Hall in his next fight, a place that has been hosting boxing events during the past four decades, attracting top promoters Barry Hearn and Frank Warren to its site.
World champion boxer Enzo Maccarinelli and British champions Derry Mathews, Michael Jennings and Michael Gomez have all fought within the hallowed walls of the Guild Hall.
Wheatley said, “Really excited to be boxing at Guild Hall again, I boxed there last January and it’s a really smart venue. Feels good to be following in the steps of the big names that have boxed there before.”
Wheatley defeated Kieron Gray (8-56-2) at the Guild Hall on January 21 in a shutout points victory over four rounds on the undercard of Robbie Davies Jr’s sensational stoppage of Zoltan Szabo, live on ITV4.
Despite being debilitated, the former Bridgefoot ABC student has managed to reach seven fights unbeaten and is looking forward to fighting at full capacity in a new weight class.
“My shoulder problems happened in training for my second fight, so I’ve had six fights with it playing up, so I’m finally looking forward to getting back in the ring with two working arms!
“I’ll be sitting down with Matt [Hatton] to discuss what weight I’ll be campaigning at but I’m planning to be at light-middleweight for this next fight.”
Prospect Watch with Nathan Wheatley
Liam Conroy v Miles Shinkwin
The main event on Easter Saturday features Barrow’s Liam Conroy (15-3-1) against Bushey’s Miles Shinkwin (14-3) for the English light-heavyweight crown.
The 25-year-old Cumbrian won the English championship with a second-round stoppage win against defending champion Joel McIntyre at London’s famous York Hall in Bethnal Green.
Unbeaten in his last nine fights with five stoppages, Conroy is in good form, but can expect a tough examination against British title contender Shinkwin, who has fought some of the UK’s top light-heavyweights.
The 29-year-old from Watford is no stranger to the big occasion, having fought live on Sky before and has also tackled Conroy’s English title predecessor McIntyre twice – with one win apiece – and his most recent contest saw him lose to highly-touted Jake Ball for the vacant WBA Inter-Continental title in December.
The headlining fight on Easter Saturday should make for a cracking contest between two closely-matched competitors in an iconic locale.
Undercard
Wheatley’s stablemate, Alex Rutter (10-0), also makes a ring return after a long hiatus.
“Big Al” won the Central Area super-featherweight title in his last fight back in September 2016.
The following lengthy layoff meant that he had to relinquish his title – Maxi Hughes is now the Central Area super-featherweight titleholder – and contemplated quitting boxing altogether but has rekindled his love for the sport once again since joining Hatton’s stable.
The rest of the undercard is yet to be announced.
For tickets to the show, call 07943 422 725
To follow Nathan ‘The Wire’ Wheatley on Twitter, click here @0401_nathan
Nathan would like to thank his sponsors Eat Clean Cuisine and Agent Tim Rickson