Warburton's Rise in Boxing
Welsh middleweight boxer Gerome Warburton has secured 17 wins out of his 21 professional fights. The 30-year-old from Colwyn Bay recently expressed surprise at the prospect of competing for a world title.
In March, Warburton achieved a unanimous decision victory over former British champion Nathan Heaney, earning the WBA Continental Middleweight title. The fight took place at Manchester's Co-Op Live Arena, and Warburton described the experience as "surreal."
"When I first set out as a professional boxer, I only had my eyes on maybe a British title even when I won the Welsh," Warburton told Wales.
"But I'm ranked 11th now with WBA in the world, so it's madness really to think that I could be knocking on the door for a world title."
Details of the Heaney Bout
The match against Nathan Heaney, from Stoke-on-Trent, was initially planned for January but was postponed due to an injury to Moses Itauma, the headliner for a heavyweight contest against Jermaine Franklin.
Heaney was supported by over 2,000 fans within the 15,000-strong crowd in Manchester and had promised a "bear pit atmosphere." Warburton anticipated a challenging environment.
"I knew it was going to be tough," Warburton said.
"I knew it was going to be very hostile - Heaney sold a lot of tickets and I was the away fighter as well, so nothing was on my side.
"But from the time that I was in the hotel, the weigh-in, the press conference, I was just switched on from the beginning.
"I knew that it was a fight that I couldn't lose."
Family and Personal Motivation
Following his victory, Warburton dedicated the win to his son Roman, who proudly held the WBA Continental belt after the fight.
"It must be amazing for him to see his dad do so well," Warburton said.
"Obviously being in front of over 15,000 people in a big massive arena, he's living a fairytale story - we see movies and stuff like that.
"I want to make him so proud as well."
Career Background
Born in Bodelwyddan, Warburton made his professional debut in 2019. Three years later, he won the Welsh middleweight title by defeating Morgan Jones. In May 2025, he was defeated by Kieron Conway in a contest for the vacant British middleweight title, marking one of his two losses in 21 professional bouts.
"I've always been a down-to-earth person and I think I'm there now to show the kids that you can do something if you put all the hard work in," Warburton added.
"I wasn't the most talented of boxers from a young age, but I put the hard work in and I think that's what it's about now.
"It's about getting more wins and leaving a belt and showing the younger generation that it can be done, not just boxing, but any sport or anything that they do.
"Hard work and dedication will get you a long way."
Future Plans
Warburton is currently awaiting offers following his recent success.
"I'm just going to wait and see what happens, see what opportunities I get with the management and just sit down with my management and see what we think is best," Warburton said.
"Sometimes you can jump into the wrong fight at the wrong time. You've just got to take each step as it comes and make the right decisions.
"I don't really want to be calling anyone out just yet."
He also shared insight into his nickname.
"My old boxing coach came up with The Breadmaker," Warburton smiles.
"Some people think it's a bit cocky and flashy, but that's the thing.
"I think I was destined for boxing because the surname, the nickname.
"There's very much more to come from The Breadmaker."
