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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