Brad Pauls says he is ready to make history and become the first British champion from Cornwall in 85 years.
The 30-year-old boxer, nicknamed “Newky Bomb”, is preparing for a rematch of his British middleweight title bout against Nathan Heaney on July 20.
The two played to a draw in March, despite Pauls feeling he had done enough to win the match.
If he beats Heaney he would become the first Cornish-born British champion since Len Harvey won the light heavyweight title just before the outbreak of World War II.
“If I become British champion in Birmingham on July 20 I will be the first home-grown British champion since 1939,” he told BBC Radio Cornwall.
“It’s been a long time, but I’m happy to make my mark on history.”
Pauls has won 18 of his 20 fights as a pro, with his only defeat coming in February 2023 when he was beaten by current European champion Tyler Dennehy in a points bout for the British middleweight belt.
The bout against Heaney will be televised at Birmingham’s Resorts World Arena and Pauls is confident he can record his 19th professional win.
“I feel good going into my next fight knowing that he can’t hurt me and I can hurt him,” he said.
“So I feel like the momentum is on me and I feel like I have everything to gain and the pressure is still on him so it’s going to be a good match.”
“This time around, we know what works and what doesn’t.
“I know I can go 12 rounds, I’m clear on that. If I can attack a little earlier and not give him any breathing space, I think I can win at some point.”
“I think the next match will be similar so it should be a good one for the fans.”
