Boxing
Brad Pauls expects a rematch with Denzel Bentley after his clash with Goldsmith
Published
1 month agoon
Brad Pauls and Denzel Bentley have no lack of respect, even though they both know a middleweight rematch is becoming more and more likely.
The two fought for Pauls’ UK title and the vacant European belt in December 2024, with the challenger winning a unanimous decision in the competition.
Since then, both have reported significant downtime, including: Bentley defeats Endry Saavedra in the seventh round for the WBO “interim” title in April, and Pauls defeated Shakiel Thompson with a stunning ninth-round punch in March.
Before his victory, Pauls sparred with his former opponent, and even before their next appearance, the two went on multiple rounds.
However, with both signed to Frank Warren’s Queensberry Promotions, it may be a matter of time before they meet again in the radiant lights.
In an interview with Boxing News, Pauls reveals that he and Bentley have already discussed the possibility.
“I really like Denzel, he’s a nice guy, but we both kept saying that if we keep winning, [Queensberry are] will make us fight again. It makes sense, especially if I win the world title. We would have to stop sparring, but we will most likely fight again.
With Bentley in line for a possible world title shot, Pauls had to employ his 12th place in the IBF rankings to secure a unification match.
A more likely path, however, would be to fight for the WBO title outright, given Pauls’ No. 4 ranking in the sanctioning body and the possibility of Bentley being promoted to full champion; otherwise, the Londoner will have to beat Janibek Alimkhanuly when the Uzbek returns from a one-year suspension for doping.
Either way, Pauls appears to be getting closer to his substantial break after his huge win over Thompson.
After losing on the judges’ scorecards, ‘The Newquay Bomb’ took a risk in the ninth round and suddenly managed to swing the result in his favor.
Reflecting on his performance, Pauls believes that the overall experience made a significant difference.
“You have to add 10 or 15%. I always come back to [Tyler] The Denny fight – my first fight on TV – and it really unsettled me.
“But since then everything seems familiar – the substantial events, the cameras, the huge halls. In the overdue rounds against Shakiel, you employ that experience to survive.
“A member of my corner team, Ellis [Steward]he said, “I’d rather you get knocked out trying to knock him out than just play it protected and lose points.” And I said, “I have two rounds left – I have to start taking risks.”
Indeed, the gamble paid off when Pauls caused quite an upset and secured his place on the undercard of the Ryan Garner vs. Michael Magnesi match this Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
The 33-year-old will be up against tricky midfielder Bradley Goldsmith, who has just beaten another left-winger in Thompson.
If victorious, Pauls could find himself in another domestic clash later this year, potentially against Sam Gilley, who made a clinical stoppage in the fifth round to defeat Aston Brown.
“There were about eight names in the hat. [Gilley] is one of the first names, but I think my management team would prefer to do it at the end of the year when it could turn into a bigger argument.
“But Queensberry said, ‘It’s not going to be an basic fight,’ and that’s how I ended up with Bradley Goldsmith.”
Whether he faces Gilley, Bentley or a completely different fighter, Pauls’ ultimate goal is to headline a television show in the southwest of England.
Logistically, the closest to Newquay, his hometown, is Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park stadium, where he hopes to eventually challenge for world titles.
“We could do it at Plymouth Argyle [Home Park Stadium]. There are a few more warriors coming from the southwest [British welterweight champion] Konstantyn Niedźwiedź.
“It would be a dream to bring substantial boxing to the Southwest.”
For Pauls to fulfill this dream, he must first take care of the Dominic Ingle-trained Goldsmith.
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Boxing
KO Artist Who Fought Canelo Aims for Chris Eubank Jr Showdown in Boxing News
Published
11 hours agoon
July 31, 2026
Chris Eubank Jr has not fought since his underwhelming rematch with Conor Benn, but the 36-year-old is now being targeted by a fierce knockout artist, who is willing to travel to London for the opportunity to face him.
Eubank scored an iconic win over Benn last April but when they rematched seven months later, he felt the full effects of a brutal weight cut, narrowly avoiding a stoppage defeat as he survived until the final bell on unsteady legs only to lose a wide unanimous decision.
Since then, the Hove-born contender has been advised to move up in weight and return to the super-middleweight scene, but he has also been linked to a catchweight clash with Michael Zerafa in Australia – a bout which would take place at 164lbs.
New York’s Edgar Berlanga has now thrown his hat into the ring though, after revealing on ‘The Last Stand’ podcast about his intentions to face Eubank before the end of the year.
“I would love to step into the ring to end the year with Chris Eubank Jr. I feel like that fight is going to be a big fight in London.
“I told Keith [Connolly]I said that I would rather not do it out here in America. I would rather go to London, where he is from [U.K.]you know what I am saying? We can make a big, big fight happen. He is on the radar.”
Berlanga’s most high profile fight came back in 2024 when he challenged Canelo Alvarez for his unified super-middleweight crown, suffering a unanimous decision defeat, one of two losses in his career after also coming up short against Hamzah Sheeraz.
He has since signed with Zuffa Boxing and in his debut with the company on Sunday he knocked Steven Butler out after seven rounds, recovering from a second-round knockdown to earn the 19th stoppage victory of his career.
In an interview with The RingBerlanga has now doubled down on his call-out of Eubank, hoping he can convince the Briton to swerve the Zerafa fight in favour of a clash on home soil.
“I’m looking forward to getting a real big fight with Chris Eubank. Let’s do it in London. It’s going to be big.”
Eubank maintains that he is currently a free agentbut it is unclear whether he is still contracted to Boxxer, with promoter Ben Shalom appearing to believe that their deal has not expired.
Boxing
Terence Crawfords Top 5 Fighters of All Time: Three Heavyweight Champions Included
Published
1 day agoon
July 30, 2026
Terence Crawford has cemented himself amongst boxing’s all-time greats with a number of iconic wins and title triumphs. When asked to name his own top five fighters, ‘Bud’ felt three former heavyweight champions have earned their places.
Crawford made history when he dethroned Canelo Alvarez and captured the undisputed super-middleweight world title last September, becoming the first post-war three-weight undisputed titleholder.
Soon after that generational win, the Omaha switch-hitter announced his retirement from the sport, walking away with an astonishing career that consisted of 42 victories and no defeats; considered to be one of the best boxers to have hung up the gloves with an undefeated record.
On The Real Report podcast with Tony Yayo and Uncle MurdaCrawford named only one unbeaten fighter amongst his all-time top five. Instead, the 38-year-old gave props to three former heavyweight world champions: Muhammad Ali, Roy Jones Jr and Joe Louis.
“I got to put [Muhammad] Ali up there. I got to put Sugar Ray Robinson, I got to put Roy Jones Jr. in his prime. I’ve definitely got to put Floyd Mayweather in and I’ll probably put Joe Louis.”
Ali and Louis spent their entire legendary careers competing at heavyweight, while Jones Jr competed in the banner division just once, becoming the first former world middleweight champion to capture world heavyweight gold in over a century.
As for Crawford, despite announcing his decision to retire, he continues to be called out by active fighters, with Ryan Garcia becoming the latest to call for a shot at putting an end to the veteran’s unbeaten streak.
Boxing
James Dean Fury Credits Uncle Peter for Insight Ahead of Professional Boxing Debut
Published
1 day agoon
July 30, 2026
James Dean Fury has always loved boxing, basically since he was born, but it was only when he started training with his uncle, Peter Fury, that he really began to understand the sport.
Given his name, it is hardly surprising that the latest Fury to turn professional has been immersed in boxing for all of his 20 years.
In fact, the super-middleweight prospect tells Boxing News that he struggles to recall a time when he was involved in anything else.
“I’ve been around the sport all my life; was born and bred into it. So my first activity, as a kid, was obviously boxing.
“When I was born, my mum and dad bought me a pair of gloves and a rope – like a little boxing kit for babies – and, when I first walked into the gym, I just fell in love with it. I loved getting punched in the face and punching other people in the face.
“From around seven or eight years old, I knew this was what I wanted to do for a living. I believe God put me on this planet to fight because, when I’m not boxing, there’s nothing else for me to do.”
It is one thing developing a passion for something, like boxing, but learning how to succeed at something is another matter entirely.
Fortunately, James Dean Fury did not have to go searching far and wide for a knowledgeable teacher, yet still he needed to prove worthy of such valuable tutelage.
“When I started training with my uncle Peter at 13 years old, he really opened my eyes and gave me a clear understanding of where I want to go.
“If I sat here and told you everything I’ve learned off my uncle Peter, we’d be here till Christmas.
“But when I was about 14 years old, he tested me. He put me in a trailer [caravan]just to see if I was really dedicated. Then he took me on full-time.”
As a three-time national amateur champion and 2025 Box Cup winner, it is fair to say that James Dean Fury has proved a receptive student.
But now, the young Fury must go one step further and establish himself in the pro ranks, starting with his Boxxer debut on August 8.
Having inked a deal with Ben Shalom’s promotional outfithe will feature on the undercard of Troy Williamson vs Callum Simpson 2, hoping to show fans that he possesses the indigents to win a world title.
“I’ve always been competitive – whether I’m running a race, at a school sports day or playing a board game … I want to win.
“And when it comes to fighting – something I’ve put my whole life into – please, believe me, I will win. I’ve sacrificed everything for this.”
With such competitive spirit, even the attention that comes with his family name does not seem to faze the cousin of a two-time heavyweight champion.
“Whoever you jump in the ring with, they’re going to try and take your head off. No one’s in there to have a dance with me, especially when they hear my name. We’re in the hurt game.”
It might be a cliché, but James Dean clearly does have boxing in his DNA, along with a fierce desire to reach the pinnacle of his sport.
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