Stoke-on-Trent's Nathan Heaney pays tribute to Frank Warren ahead of Gerome Warburton farewell fight

Former British and Commonwealth middleweight champion Nathan Heaney has paid tribute to long-term promoter Frank Warren as he prepares to bow out of professional boxing this weekend.

The hugely popular Stoke-on-Trent star will step through the ropes one final time on Saturday night when he takes on Gerome Warburton in a hugely anticipated rematch at Birmingham's bp pulse LIVE.

Heaney succumb to a shock defeat at the hands of the twice-beaten Welshman in March, ending his faint hopes of securing a dream fight at the home of his beloved football club, Stoke City's bet365 Stadium.

The 37-year-old had previously been on the brink of a lucrative world title fight after producing a career-best performance to beat Denzel Bentley, before losing his lofty position in the world rankings after being held to a draw and beaten by Bournemouth's Brad Pauls.

A low key points success over Grant Dennis offered some hope that the Staffordshire puncher could climb back up the ladder, only for a unanimous points decision defeat to Warburton earlier this year to subsequently crush those hopes.

Now, after officially announcing his decision to draw the curtain upon his fighting career, Heaney has publicly thanked Queensberry's supremo Warren for helping him realise his boxing dreams.

"When I was 17 years old I had one dream, and that was to fight for you Frank," he posted on Instagram on Monday.

"Twenty years later and I'll be retiring with you as my promoter, and it's been an absolute honour."

It's not just Warren that Heaney holds such high affection for, with the fighter also looking forward to giving his loyal army of fans one final night to remember.

Over 2,000 Stokies are expected to make the short journey down the M6 to witness the fighter's final famous Delilah ring walk, and Heaney says he can't thank them enough for their backing.

"We have had some incredible nights in Stoke-on-Trent over the years, so this is one last celebration as a city to show what we are all about," he said. "Hopefully, I can do the job.

"The fans got me here in the first place, in terms of the environment they made for me and the atmospheres at the King's Hall.

"I proved that we belonged here when I became British champion, so we worked really well in that regard."