Brad Pauls v Denzel Bentley

Brad Pauls is targeting a world middleweight title shot after his fight with Denzel Bentley next month.

Pauls, 31, is the reigning British champion after beating Nathan Heaney in July.

He will face Bentley at the top of the bill at Wembley Arena on 7 December as they fight for the Londoner's WBO International middleweight title.

"Me winning this fight would mean I've won every belt in boxing apart from a world title, which is absolutely insane," the fighter from Newquay told BBC Radio Cornwall.

"I'm fourth with the WBA, I'm apparently fourth with the WBO now, so winning this fight will put me around second or first, which is right next to a world title shot, which is just massive."

Pauls, who has won 19 and drawn one of his 21 professional fights, inflicted a first loss on Heaney when he stopped him in the final round of their British title fight in July.

The fighter from Stoke-on-Trent did have the option of a second rematch with Pauls after the pair's first bout in March ended in a draw.

But Heaney has opted not to face Pauls for a third time, meaning the 'Newquay Bomb' will face former two-time British champion Bentley.

The Londoner has lost just three times in a 24-fight career and unsuccessfully fought for the WBO world title November 2022.

He was also beaten by Heaney when he claimed the British title just under a year ago.

"It'll be my toughest fight yet," said Pauls.

"But I'm very confident and I've got loads to gain from this fight, so I'm full of motivation.

"It's a hard fight in my opinion, but one that I am capable of winning."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/cyv7ep2qzezo

"Boxing's funny because you're one win away from a completely different life and you're one loss away from being a bum, so you better hope you get the win," says Brad Pauls.

The British middleweight champion has his own unique way of defining the importance of Saturday's top-of-the-bill clash with Denzel Bentley at Wembley Arena on Saturday.

The pair will fight for the European and WBO International middleweight title - as well as Pauls' domestic belt.

But more importantly, the winner is on course for a likely world title shot in 2025, with Bentley ranked as the WBO's number one contender and Pauls in second place.

It could be the culmination of a lifetime's work for the fighter know as the Newquay Bomb - who became the first boxer from Cornwall to win a Lonsdale belt since since 1939 when he beat Nathan Heaney for the British title in July.

"It's strange, but what else did I expect to happen?" Pauls tells BBC Sport.

"I've done nothing else, I promise you, I'm not good at any other thing.

"All I've done is box, I thought 'something's got to happen here' and it's nice to be in the history books. I'd love to give Cornwall some history where they don't have loads of superstars coming out of that county.

"I feel like there's a little bit more to gain, a little bit more to do."

Pauls, 31, has won 19 and lost just one of his professional fights - 12 of his wins coming via knockout.

But he knows that Saturday's bout with Bentley will prove a turning point in his career - either being left a 'bum' or getting that 'completely different life'.

"It's a lot of pressure, but that's what makes it exciting; it is so much to gain, so much to lose all at the same time," he says as he takes a break from training.

"But for me I'm the underdog in this fight, he's the established champion - a two-time British champion, a world title challenger. I'd say there's more pressure on him, he's more of a name."

Londoner Bentley has a record equal to Pauls' - 17 of his 20 wins have come via knockout.

Of his three losses, one was in a world title fight to unbeaten Kazakh champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly two years ago and the other came at the hands of Heaney last November, where he lost the British title that Pauls now has around his waist.

"I know Denzel, his gym's 10-15 minutes away, I've sparred plenty of rounds with him," explains Pauls.

"I know it's a dangerous fight. Denzel hits hard, has a lot of knockouts, but so do I.

"When they presented me with the options for my next fight, they said you can fight Denzel or fight someone else who wasn't as challenging, in my opinion, and I took the tougher fight.

"I want to look back at the end of my career and say I stepped up and I fought the tougher man, because it's not in me to shy away and pick an easy fight.

"If you want to be the best, you've got to go out there and fight the best people in the country, so here I am fighting Denzel."

Pauls' win over Heaney earlier this year meant he became the first Cornish fighter to win a British title since Len Harvey won the light-heavyweight belt shortly before the outbreak of World War Two.

The middleweight says the support he gets from his home county is one of the things that spurs him on the most, and he is expecting another good turnout from the Duchy on Saturday.

"It's given me a lot more faith in the world because all the Cornish people just want to see me do well," he says proudly.

"There's no hate, no agenda, they just buy tickets to help me achieve my dreams.

"Pretty much all of my sponsors are Cornish businesses that are just backing their man; I couldn't do what I do without them.

"I just want to do well for them, and after my British title win I could really see what it meant to them, people were so happy for me.

"They couldn't be more generous and genuinely happy, so it just adds a little bit more motivation to why I'm doing what I'm doing."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/boxing/a...s/ckg8n8rg26po

Sean Noakes is battering Mathew Rennie in the 7th round looking for the stoppage.

Sean wins on points, his brother Sam will be fighting later in the night. Their poor mother is watching in the crowd.

Aloy Youmbi destroys Oakford in 3 rounds. He is like Tyson, black shorts, no socks and heavy handed. Only had 10 fights and at Cruiserweight.

David Adeleye makes an impressive comeback with a one round knockout over Dacres to win English heavyweight title.

Okolie looks far better and healthier as a heavyweight.

I take it @Beanz you are not able to see this card.

Sam Noakes is having a good tough contest against Ryan Walsh 8 rounds in but winning.

No I am watching it, been a great card just bit hectic but calmed down now.

If I didn't have the kids I would have been working this one.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Master

Okolie looks far better and healthier as a heavyweight.

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Definitely. Early days but he certainly looks more comfortable. Remember him posting here.

Sam Noakes winning virtually every round to win a unanimous decision.

Noakes dismantled Walsh and a lesser opponent would never have seen the 12th round.

Pulev v Charr looks entertaining on DAZN 7 rounds in.

Geddon Kernow.

Bentley speed winning the first round. Paul's seems surprised by the fast hands of his opponent.

Bentley dominates the second round too. Pauls can't get his own jab off and seems outclassed at the moment.

2 nil

Pauls trying to increase the pace and pressure of the contest in the 3rd but still not good enough.

better fifth for brad

Pauls pushing hard in the 5th and had some success at last.

4 -1

Now the fight is more even with Pauls more aggressive but think Bentley jab may have won the 6th.

Bentley footwork getting him out of trouble to win the 7th.

6-1 Bentley

Close 8th round and Pauls may have just done enough to win it.

6-2

could be even after eight rounds

Pauls putting a lot of work in the 9th to win it. Closing the gap now.

6-3

brad down in the tenth with about a minute left. he's up at eight. denzel attacking looking for the stoppage. brad fighting back at the bell

Paul down in the 10th with a punch in the eye. Could be the thumb but it is his fight to lose now.

Exciting 11th round both going for it!

Bentley should have this if it goes to the scorecards.

Bentley finished the last round very strong and should get the decision.

i have denzel winning by five points

Bentley wins by UD

denzel gets a unanimous, one judge had it by seven points, one had it by five points & the third had it by three points

Geezer with the mic is embarrassing. Paul's has overachieved in many ways. Tons of heart but has been used to knocking guys over and wasted too many wild overhand swings when he has a decent jab. Headhunting a guy who is boxing long is never going to work.

Pauls will be back.