Brad Pauls Targets World Title Opportunity After Upcoming Bentley Bout

Brad Pauls, who made history as the first boxer from Cornwall to secure a Lonsdale belt since 1939, is setting his sights on a world middleweight title shot following his scheduled fight with Denzel Bentley next month. The 31-year-old Pauls currently holds the British champion title, which he claimed by defeating Nathan Heaney in July. He is slated to headline the event at Wembley Arena on 7 December, where he will challenge Bentley for the Londoner’s WBO International middleweight title. The Newquay-based fighter conveyed to BBC Radio Cornwall that “Me winning this fight would mean I’ve won every belt in boxing apart from a world title, which is absolutely insane.” He further elaborated on his current rankings, stating, “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, whose professional record stands at 19 wins and one draw from 21 contests, inflicted a first loss on Heaney when he stopped him in the final round of their British title fight in July. Heaney, the boxer from Stoke-on-Trent, had the opportunity for a second rematch against Pauls following their initial encounter in March, which concluded in a draw. However, Heaney has decided against a third contest with Pauls, leading to the ‘Newquay Bomb’ facing Bentley, a former two-time British champion. Bentley, a London native, has sustained only three losses across his 24-fight career and made an unsuccessful bid for the WBO world title in November 2022. Additionally, he was defeated by Heaney when the latter secured the British title less than a year prior. Pauls commented on the upcoming match, stating, “It’ll be my toughest fight yet.” He added, “But I’m very confident and I’ve got loads to gain from this fight, so I’m full of motivation.” He concluded by saying, “It’s a hard fight in my opinion, but one that I am capable of winning.”