BRAD PAULS attributes his loss to Tyler Denny last year as a turning point in his career.
Their 10-round match at Wembley Arena for the English middleweight title was intense, but Denny seemed in control throughout the second defense of his belt. The judges’ scorecards of 98-93, 97-93 (twice) accurately reflected the outcome of the night. Since then, Denny has continued to excel, with his recent victory over Felix Cash to claim the European title at 160lbs.
A revitalized Pauls is gearing up to compete for the British middleweight title once again, this time against Nathan Heaney on Saturday night (July 20) at the Resorts World Arena in Birmingham. This rematch comes four months after their initial encounter, which ended in a split draw.
“You’ve got to give him [Denny] credit, he’s done it the hard way,” Pauls told Boxing News recently.
“He took tough fights in small venues and worked his way up. Look at where he is now, European champion and defeating big names. Fighting Denny and experiencing that loss turned out to be the best thing for me. It prompted me to make significant changes in my training, including working with a nutritionist and mindset coach. It was tough to see it then, but looking back, it was a blessing in disguise. The improvements are evident. Everything happens for a reason.”
Pauls acknowledges the importance of having a support team to enhance his skills and prepare him for challenging competitions.
“I’m more experienced and I know what I need to do,” Pauls says
Discussing the impact of his mindset coach Terry Stewart, Pauls stated, “You can always be more confident as a fighter. It’s about maximizing every aspect of your training camp, making it more effective. Every detail counts at the top level, and that extra percentage can be crucial.”
Pauls fell just short of capturing the British title in his previous bout with Heaney. Reflecting on that match, he sees room for improvement and plans to execute his strategy more effectively this time around.
Furthermore, Pauls emphasizes the significance of winning the British title not only as a career milestone but also as a historic achievement for his county.