Heaney and Pauls Fight to a Draw

Wildly popular Nathan Heaney and Brad Pauls fought to a 12-round split draw in a middleweight fight at The Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England.

It was a very competitive fight that had the crowd into the fight from the beginning. Scores were 116-113 for Heaney; 115-114 for Pauls and 114-114.

Heaney, 159 lbs of Stoke-On-Trent, ENG is 18-0-1. Pauls, 159 lbs of Essex, ENG is 18-1-1.

Liam Davies stopped Erick Robles in round two of their 12-round super bantamweight fight.

In round two, Davies dropped Robles with a hard right uppercut that was followed by a left hook Robles was badly hurt and are two punches and was dropped on his back, and the fight was over at 1:17.

Davies, 121 lbs of Donnington, ENG is 16-0 with eight knockouts. Robles, 121 lbs of Ensenada, MEX is 15-2.

Former Interim world heavyweight champion Joe Joyce beat up and beat down Kash Ali and scored knockout in the waning seconds of their 10-round bout.

In round 10, Joyce landed a big uppercut that put Ali down on his back. He got up just as the referee hit the count of 10 at 2:53.

Joyce, 286 lbs of London, England won by scores of and is now 16-2 with 15 knockouts. Ali, 238 lbs of Ritherham, ENG is 21-3.

Zach Parker won a 10-round unanimous decision over former world champion Tyron Zeuge in a light heavyweight battle.

In round two, Zeuge dropped Parker with a short right hand.

Parker recovered and won most of the remaining rounds and took the cards by scores of 98-91, 97-92 and 96-94 and is now 24-1. Zeuge of Berlin, GER is 27-2-1.

Dennis McCann scored a 12-round unanimous decision over Brand Strand in a battle of undefeated welterweigts.

In round two, McCann dropped Strand with a perfect left-right combination from the southpaw stance. Stand’s face started to redden and bleed throughout the fight.

McCann, 121 lbs of Kent, ENG won by scores of 118-111, 116-111 and 116-112 and is now 15-0-1. Strand, 121 lbs of Liverpool is 11-1.

Owen Copper stopped Ethan James in round nine of a 10-round welterweight bout.

It was a good fight with guys landing good shots. Cooper took control of the fight as he started to snap the head back of James back in the later rounds. The corner of James pulled their man from the fight before round 10.

Cooper or Worcester, ENG is 10-0 with four knockouts. James of Northampton, ENG is 12-1.




Saturday: Nathan Heaney-Brad Pauls Middleweight Battle Headlines U.K. Fight Night LIVE and Exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+

(March 13, 2024) — Unbeaten middleweight contender Nathan Heaney will defend his British title against once-beaten Brad Pauls this Saturday, March 16 in the 12-round main event at Resorts World Arena in Birmingham, England. 

In the 12-round co-feature, undefeated junior featherweight Liam Davies will lock horns against Mexico’s Erik Robles Ayala.

The undercard features feature the return of Joe Joyce, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist and former Interim WBO heavyweight champion, in a scheduled 10-rounder against Kash Ali.

Promoted by Queensberry, Heaney-Pauls, Davies-Ayala, Joyce-Ali and additional fight action will stream live and exclusively in the U.S. on ESPN+ starting at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT.

Heaney (18-0, 6 KOs) is a six-year pro who is coming off his best win yet, a 12-round majority decision against former world title challenger Denzel Bentley. The 34-year-old is ranked No. 4 by the WBO, so he’ll look state his case for a world title shot this year. Pauls (18-1, 10 KOs) made his pro debut in 2015 and went 16-0 before dropping a 10-round decision against Tyler Denny in February 2023. He bounced back with a points victory over Patryk Polasik last May and an eighth-round TKO versus Mitchell Frearson in September.

Davies (15-0, 7 KOs) is on the verge of a world title opportunity. The 27-year-old scored two impressive wins in 2023, a first-round TKO over countryman Jason Cunningham in July and a fifth-round stoppage of then-unbeaten Italian Vincenzo La Femina in November. Ayala (15-1, 9 KOs) upset hometown hero Lee McGregor via unanimous decision in Scotland last July and capitalized on his performance by returning home to decision the previously unbeaten Cesar Vaca Espinoza in December. 

IN OTHER STREAMING ACTION:

Zach Parker (23-1, 17 KOs) vs. Tyron Zeuge (27-1-1, 15 KOs), 10 rounds, Super Middleweights

Dennis McCann (14-0-1, 8 KOs) vs. Brad Strand (11-0, 3 KOs), 12/10 rounds,  Junior Featherweights

Eithan James (12-0) vs. Owen Cooper (9-0, 3 KOs), 10 rounds, James’ WBO European and Vacant English Welterweight Titles 

Pierce O’Leary (13-0, 7 KOs) vs. Hovhannes Martirosyan (16-0, 10 KOs), 10 rounds, O’Leary’s WBC International Junior Welterweight Title 




PAULS: “IT’S TIME TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP!”

‘The Newquay Bomb’ Brad Pauls (15-0, 9 KOs) is ready to explode as he steps up to face domestic rival Ryan Kelly (16-3, 8 KOs) in an eliminator for the British Middleweight Title as part of a huge night of free-to-air boxing on Friday May 13 at the Indigo at the O2 in London, live on Channel 5.

Having made his name on the small hall circuit, the undefeated 29-year-old and former Southern Area Champion, is eager to make his mark on the big stage as he fights for the right to challenge for the coveted Lonsdale belt.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Pauls. “I’ve worked my way up the hard way, on the small hall shows, and finally I get my chance on the big stage. I’ve wanted it for so long, now I’ve got to go and win. It’s time to put up or shut up!

“The British title is my dream belt. It’s the sexiest belt in boxing because it’s probably the most credible. With the British Title there’s no easy fights, you have to fight someone good, and it holds a lot of credibility. This eliminator is a step towards my dream belt, so it means everything to me.

“I’ve watched a couple of videos of Ryan Kelly. I know it’s a tough fight. He’s got good punch power, 16 wins, 3 losses, but I think if I just stick to my game plan and listen to my coach and apply my strength then it’s 100% a victory.”

On the same night Pauls faces Kelly in eliminator for the domestic 160lbs strap, the Cornishman’s friend and training partner Linus Udofia will be fighting former champion Denzel Bentley for the vacant title.

“It’s a massive night for our gym and for our coach Terry Steward with both of us in big fights. First and foremost, Linus is my friend so I can’t help but be really happy for him. I see him in the gym every day working and grafting for it. You can see what it means to him, and you can see that he deserves it.

“It’s funny that we are at the same weight, and it could create a bit of a backlog, but he’s given me a verbal agreement, if he wins, he’ll have his voluntary and then he’ll give the belt up for me so I can fight for it, but first we both need to win on May 13. That’s all I care about and that’s all I think about,” said Pauls.

Josh KellyHarlem Eubank and the hotly anticipated British Middleweight Title clash between Linus Udofia and Denzel Bentley will top a stacked card in the capital as Wasserman Boxing launch their first free-to-air event live on Channel 5 on Friday May 13 at the Indigo at the O2, in association with William HillNuman and Infinitum Entertainment

Tickets are on sale now and available via www.wassermanboxing.com




UNDEFEATED MIDDLEWEIGHT BRAD PAULS SIGNS WITH WASSERMAN BOXING

Undefeated Middleweight Brad Pauls (14-0, 9 KOs) has signed a long-term promotional deal with Wasserman Boxing. 

Known as ‘The Newquay Bomb’, the explosive Cornish fighter is one of the UK’s hottest prospects. Unbeaten in fourteen professional contests including nine wins inside the distance, the current Southern Area Champion has already established a reputation as a fan favourite thanks to his all action style. 

Pauls captured the Southern Area Title in June 2019 with a third-round technical knockout win against Darren Codona before defending the belt with a devastating seventh-round stoppage victory over Robbie Chapman.

The Southern Area Title is just the beginning for Pauls, who having signed with new powerhouse promoter Wasserman Boxing, is excited to bring his fan friendly style to the masses as he sets his sights on domestic domination.  

“I like to bring excitement to my fights,” says Pauls. “I’m a come forward fighter who loves a tear up. My style and what fans look for is exactly the same. Fans like to see knockouts and fighters looking for knockouts. Intensity and constant, relentless hunting and pressure – that’s what I bring to the table on fight night.

“My aim is to become the best middleweight in the country. To be the best fighter domestically, and to show the world what I can do. It’s nothing personal with any of the fighters I’m in with – they share the same dreams and ambitions as me –  but ultimately I’m going in there to knock people out and win titles!

“What the guys at Wasserman Boxing are doing is huge, and to be a part of it is just amazing. I’ve worked so hard for so long to get myself into a position like this, and to be here with such an unbelievable team is incredible.”

Promoter Nisse Sauerland is thrilled to welcome Pauls to the team as Wasserman Boxing continue to sign Britain’s most exciting young talent.

“We’re on an exciting journey here, and to sign a fighter like Brad shows we’re signing the very best British talent out there and looking to put on great shows with exhilarating, edge of your seat, style fighters,” said Sauerland.

Pauls is the latest fighter to sign with Wasserman Boxing. He joins many of Europe’s most exciting young fighters and established names including British boxing star Chris Eubank Jr., Cruiserweight World Champion Mairis Briedis and top Heavyweight contender Filip Hrgovic