Sofiane Khati vs Nathan Heaney Preview Feb. 8th, 2025
Nathan Heaney of Stoke on Trent, England is back in the ring this Saturday, Feb. 8th to do battle with Sofiane Khati of France. The 10-round middleweight bout from Manchester, can be seen live in the UK and Ireland on TNT Sport 1. Heaney was last in action in July when he was stopped by Brad Pauls in the 12th round in a shot at the British Middleweight Crown. Khati’s last fight resulted in a fourth-round TKO over Noel Lafargue in December to retain his French Middleweight Belt.
Khati vs Heaney Betting Odds
Here are the betting odds from online sportsbook BetOnline.ag (full review here).
- Sofiane Khati +450
- Nathan Heaney -700
My Pick
Khati is 32 years old and has mark of 17-5 with 6 Ko’s and has boxed 122 rounds since making his pro debut in 2018. He stands 6-feet tall with an unlisted reach and possesses below-average power as just 35.3 per cent of his wins have come by stoppage. However, three of his last five victories have come by stoppage. Khati’s first pro defeat came at the hands of Vincenzo Gualtieri by a 12-round unanimous decision in February, 2021 in a shot at the vacant IBO Continental Middleweight Title.
He dropped his second straight fight just three months later by dropping a six-round unanimous decision to Franck Zimmer. Khati was halted after five rounds by Etinosa Oliha in 2022 in an attempt at the vacant IBO Mediterranean Title. He was stopped in the fourth round by Diego Natchoo in his first shot at the French Middleweight Belt in February, 2023 but won it nine months later via a sixth-round TKO over Gaston Due and has defended it three times.
Khati’s fifth and last defeat was a 10-round majority decision to Souleimane Mohammedi in December in a crack at the vacant IBF International Middleweight Belt. His most-recognizable opponent has been Gary ‘Spike’ O’Sullivan, who he edged on points over eight rounds in Ireland last March. This will be Khati’s first pro fight in the UK.
As for Heaney, he’s now 35 years old and carries around a perfect mark of 18-1-1 with 6 Ko’s and has boxed 145 rounds since making his pro debut in 2017 following his long amateur career. He’s reportedly 6-feet-1-inch tall and unfortunately has an unlisted reach as well so has an inch height advantage on Khati. Heaney certainly isn’t known for his power either as just 33.3 per cent of his victories have been by stoppage with his last one coming in November, 2021. Heaney captured the vacant British Midlands Area Middleweight Title in 2019 with a 10-round decision over Tom Stokes.
He added the vacant IBO Continental Super Middleweight Belt in 2020 with a 10-round unanimous decision over Christian Schembri. Heaney won the vacant IBO International Middleweight Crown in 2021 when he stopped Sladan JanJanin in the seventh round and also has a win over Diego Ramirez and two over Jack Flatley. Heaney then took the British Title in November, 2023 with an upset 12-round majority decision over Denzel Bentley. He defended the belt with a draw against Brad Pauls in March, 2024 and was then stopped in the rematch in his last outing in July.
Prediction…
Khati and Heaney are solid European-level pros who both lack power. Heaney has a better chin though and should be able to outbox Khati over 10 rounds, especially fighting in the UK. I don’t really expect fireworks here and there’s a good chance it goes the distance.
Play Heaney -700 @ BetOnline.ag
Check out my recent boxing betting picks to see my current form.
Nathan Heaney betting • Sofiane Khati betting