Brad Pauls, known for his fan-friendly style, remains determined to achieve his proudest boxing goal again: capturing the esteemed Lonsdale Belt.
Last July, ‘The Newquay Bomb’ famously defeated Nathan Heaney to win the British middleweight championship. He scored a knockdown and secured a spectacular twelfth-round finish against the popular Staffordshire fighter.
Their initial encounter earlier in 2024 was a thrilling contest that ended in a draw and was widely regarded as one of the most exciting domestic fights of the year.
Following his victory in the rematch, Pauls (19-2-1, 11 KOs) stepped back into domestic action against Denzel Bentley last December.
Despite a courageous effort, the 32-year-old suffered a unanimous decision loss, forcing him to reassess his career trajectory.
Nevertheless, Pauls remained optimistic that his next fight would at least feature on a televised platform, especially after headlining previous shows.
However, after more than six months of inactivity, the Essex-based boxer is scheduled to return on May 31st at a grassroots level event.
Pauls expressed his eagerness to compete again. “I`m just happy to be active again. There`s nothing worse than sitting out the ring – it absolutely kills me.” He admitted disappointment about not appearing on a major card: “It would’ve been nice to get back on a Queensberry card, and it’s frustrating not to, so I guess it’s back to the small hall scene for now.” He used a relatable analogy: “It’s a bit like getting rejected by a bird… you have to look elsewhere.”
While keen to perform and attract attention, Pauls is well-acquainted with the less glamorous path required before landing significant opportunities.
His initial journey to British honours was long and challenging, full of moments that made him question if his sacrifices were worthwhile.
Yet, the moment he finally held the Lonsdale Belt provided an overwhelming emotional validation, answering all his doubts.
“It was the best night of my life,” he recalled. Reflecting on his perseverance, he added, “Where I didn’t have anything for so long, most people would’ve given up… for it to actually work out, it just justified everything.” He firmly believes in his resilience: “When I was created, they didn’t put the bit in me that makes you quit… I could never have lived with myself if I didn’t give it everything I had. So now I can honestly say, hand on heart, that I’ve given boxing everything.”
With that powerful memory as motivation, Pauls hopes for another equally successful night in the near future.
With Kieron Conway and Gerome Warburton competing for the vacant title this Saturday, Pauls has his sights set on a specific target.
Pauls stated, “It wasn’t long ago that I had the title, and as soon as I get a win, lobbying me as a mandatory [challenger for the winner of Conway vs Warburton] isn`t out of the question.” He intends to watch the upcoming fight closely: “So I’ll be keeping a close eye on [Conway vs Warburton]… I’d love the chance to win back my British title.” He also expressed interest in a potential fight with Kieron Conway: “I like Kieron – he’s a nice bloke. And after sparring him, I just think it’d be a great fight. I think [our styles] would gel well, and I fancy my chances against him. That’s one for the future, hopefully.”
