Brad Pauls Aims for World Title
Brad Pauls is setting his sights on clinching a world title, aiming to make history as the first Cornish fighter to do so since the legendary Bob Fitzsimmons in 1903. This ambition comes after Pauls secured a significant victory on Saturday by knocking out Shakiel Thompson, handing the latter his first professional loss. The match took place on the undercard of Moses Itauma’s impressive knockout of Jermaine Franklin, where Pauls achieved a ninth-round stoppage to claim the IBF international middleweight title.
Future Plans and Excitement
“I have an upcoming meeting next week with my management at Queensbury to strategize our next steps,” Pauls shared with BBC Sport.
He expressed enthusiasm about potential opportunities, highlighting big shows and stadium fights on the horizon that could include a world title bout.
“My manager hinted that what lies ahead is going to be really promising,” he added. “I’m brimming with excitement about the possibilities, especially being in a situation that’s poised to bring transformative changes to my life.”
Turning the Tide in His Latest Fight
In his latest fight against Thompson, Pauls realized that he was not leading on the scorecards but managed to turn the tide by delivering a decisive knockout. Reflecting on the match, he noted,
“I was aware it was a very close fight. My corner advised me to forget about strategy and to unleash everything I had. With time running out, I knew I had to make a significant impact, and I pushed myself to the limit to achieve that.”
Overcoming Doubts and Looking Ahead
The victory was particularly poignant for Pauls, marking his return to a major fighting event after his previous title loss to Denzel Bentley in December 2024. His prior fight against Panamanian Omir Rodriguez at Torquay’s Riviera Centre seemed like a far cry from the electrifying atmosphere of the Co-op Live arena in Manchester, which was packed and broadcast live. Pauls, who endured a lengthy period without major bouts, admitted there were moments he doubted he would compete at a title level again.
“When you find yourself sidelined without fights and facing stagnant opportunities, those doubts creep in,” he confessed. “But I knew that if I continued training hard, my opportunities would return. And when it did come, I realized I had to capitalize on it, as chances like these are precious. In boxing, you often have to take risks to create opportunities, and that’s exactly what I did.”
Potential Title Fight on the Horizon
Looking ahead, a potential title fight against Italy’s Etinosa Oliha, both ranked highly by the IBF, might be in the cards, emphasizing Pauls’ ascendancy in the boxing world.
