Pauls eyes world title fight after Bentley bout

Brad Pauls became the first boxer from Cornwall to win a Lonsdale belt since 1939

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."