Brad Pauls will make the first defence of his British middleweight championship against former two-time titleholder Denzel Bentley on Dec. 7 as Frank Warren’s Queensberry showcases more talent in the run-up to Christmas with significant stakes for many set to feature – including Solomon Dacres vs. David Adeleye for English heavyweight honours and cruiserweight talent Aloys Junior’s return.
Three-time? Bentley backs himself to reclaim British gold
- Frank Warren declares this yet another thrilling card and insists there’s something for everyone to savour at London’s OVO Arena on Dec. 7
- Hall of Fame promoter pledges Pauls-Bentley winner will be pushed towards a world title shot in 2025, after former titleholder Nathan Heaney’s ambitious three-fight plan went up in smoke earlier this year
- One to watch: Seven unbeaten boxers, six title fights, one new Queensberry signing and a boxer making his pro debut all on the bill
BRAD Pauls was never likely to get an easy touch for his first domestic title defence and so it proved: he’ll face Denzel Bentley in a matchup the Newquay Bomb isn’t favoured to emerge victorious from, just like his two-fight series with Stoke’s now-former champion Nathan Heaney. This time though, he’s defending champion.
The old adage about getting 30% better once you’ve won gold will be put to the test three weeks before Christmas against a hard-hitting Bentley, who has scored emphatic stoppages in each of his last four wins, dating back to a gritty split decision nod over Pauls’ training partner and close friend Linus Udofia in May 2022.
Elsewhere, former long-reigning British featherweight champion Ryan Walsh looks to pose the biggest threat yet for rising lightweight talent Sam Noakes when battling the European champion for three versions of gold at 135lbs. Walsh had previously called for this opportunity. Stunning Reece Mould on Sept. 27 boosted his case.
David Adeleye returns from injury and looks to unseat Solomon Dacres as English heavyweight champion after their original fight date was cancelled, while two-weight world champion Lawrence Okolie prepares for his Queensberry debut against former sparring partner Hussein Muhamed – unveiled as a new signing last week.
Pierce O’Leary makes the fifth defence of his WBC International light-welterweight title hopeful he can secure a mandatory position with sanctioning bodies angling for world level glory, while Sean Noakes will box on the same card as younger brother Sam when defending English welterweight honours against Mathew Rennie.
Rising cruiserweight talent Aloys ‘Junior’ Youmbi returns after banking valuable experience over ten rounds against the previously-unbeaten Oronzo Birardi in August and will box Lewis Oakford after the 6-1 pro – more than a decade his senior – scored a UD10 win against Deevorn Miller on a small-hall show in October.
Royston Barney-Smith is regarded as one of Britain’s hottest prospects and the 20-year-old gets another challenge in Colombia’s 12-2 pro Andres Navarrete, who was memorably blasted inside a round on his UK debut against Queensberry’s new lightweight signing Jadier Herrera in June. Will he find that same level of success?
Full card, is as follows
British, vacant EBU European, WBO International championships: Brad Pauls (c) vs. Denzel Bentley
British, Commonwealth, WBO Intl lightweight titles: Sam Noakes (c) vs. Ryan Walsh
English heavyweight title: Solomon Dacres (c) vs. David Adeleye
Heavyweight: Lawrence Okolie vs. Hussein Muhamed
Cruiserweight: Aloys Youmbi vs. Lewis Oakford for WBA Continental, Commonwealth Silver titles
English welterweight title: Sean Noakes (c) vs. Mathew Rennie
Super-featherweight: Royston Barney-Smith vs. Andres Navarrete
15-0 light-welterweight Pierce O’Leary returns in a 10-rounder
4-0 super-featherweight Billy Adams vs. opponent TBC, six rounds
Light-heavyweight debutant George Crotty vs. Semion Martiniuc, 4 rounds
Picture source: Getty Images
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