Brad Pauls v Denzel Bentley - Tale of the Tape: Weight, height, reach, trainers, records & more

We analyse the credentials and statistics of Brad Pauls and Denzel Bentley as the pair contest a British, European and WBO International middleweight title showdown in London this weekend.

When Brad Pauls v Denzel Bentley was announced for Saturday 7th December in Birmingham there was a knowing nod from the trade - an acknowledgment that this was an excellent British title matchup.

But as the weeks progressed developments occurred in the middleweight division that made the fight even bigger.

This weekend's main event is not only for Pauls’ Lonsdale belt but is now also for the vacant European title and a guarantee from promoter Frank Warren that the winner will go on to fight for a world title.

It's a fight that has so much riding on it!

But before we can sit back and watch the action unfold, it's time to look at the 'Tale of The Tape'...

Brad Pauls v Denzel Bentley - Tale of the Tape

	Brad Pauls	Denzel Bentley
Age:	31	29
Nickname:	'The Newquay Bomb'	'2 Sharp'
Height:	5ft 10ins	5ft 11ins
Reach:	70ins	72ins
Weight:	Middleweight	Middleweight
Trainer:	Terry Steward	Raymond Bull
Record:	19-1-1 (11 KOs)	20-3-1 (17 KOs)
Last Fight:	Won (TKO) v Nathan Heaney (July 2024)	Won (TKO) v Derrick Osaze (August 2024)

Brad Pauls - In Profile

After three rounds of his rematch against Nathan Heaney, the fight already looked like it was slipping away from Brad Pauls.

But with the fourth looking another Heaney frame Pauls changed the complexion of the fight by knocking the former British champion down with a counter right hand.

Pauls’ slow start nearly cost him in their first bout for the British middleweight title in March but a strong second half rewarded him with a draw.

Having won the rematch with a final round flourish, Pauls must get out the blocks sharply against Denzel Bentley on Saturday night.

The two-time champion hits harder than Heaney and looks like a rejuvenated fighter since the shock defeat to the Stoke fighter 13 months ago.

There is little to split the pair in the betting market, with the latter a slight odds-on favourite, but Pauls is carrying his own momentum, confidence and pride at becoming Cornwall’s first British champion since Len Harvey in 1939.

The positives for Pauls going into his first defence is he won’t have to seek out Bentley as he did with Heaney, and the likelihood is Saturday’s main event at the Resorts World Arena won’t go the distance.

Both men have the power to take the other out and that’s where the concern should lie for fans of Pauls.

Bentley possesses the better skillset but carries a hefty dig as well and his all-round game, which has been tested at world level, should be too much for Pauls.,

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Gets stronger as fight progresses	Struggles against a good jab
Punch power	Slow feet
Body shots	Lack of head movement
Counter punching	Slow starter

Denzel Bentley - In Profile

The earth shattering loss to Nathan Heaney was a wake up call for Denzel Bentley.

Distractions outside the ring, no matter how serious or important, can’t affect a fighter’s preparations which is exactly what happened to the Londoner in the lead-up to his third defeat in November 2023.

His comeback has been quiet, efficient but served as a reminder that '2 Sharp' isn’t a man to take lightly or overlook.

Coming into his seventh British title fight on Saturday, the current version of Bentley may be the best we’ve seen. His punch power has returned as has the spitefulness which makes him a real danger to anyone at 160lbs.

Bentley, at 29, isn’t a veteran by any means but a seven-year, and 24-fight, career have put him through all types of ups and downs in boxing - all of which he has managed to come through.

This is another test, but one he will feel hugely confident of coming through.

Strengths:	Weaknesses:
Punch power	Carries hands too low
Combination punching	Machismo against lower-level opponents
Uppercuts	Vulnerable during exchanges
Jab	Attacks from distance too often