Denzel Bentley reclaimed his British middleweight title in a thrilling showdown against Brad Pauls, punctuated by a brutal eye injury suffered by the defending champion. The fight, a back-and-forth affair from the opening bell, swung dramatically in Bentley’s favor in the tenth round when a seemingly innocuous combination caused significant swelling above Pauls’ left eye. This injury, which appeared to be a potential eye socket fracture, hampered Pauls’ vision and allowed Bentley to seize control of the contest. Despite the setback, Pauls displayed remarkable courage and resilience, battling valiantly until the final bell. The judges ultimately scored the fight 117-110, 116-111, and 115-112 in favor of Bentley, reflecting the shift in momentum caused by Pauls’ injury.
The early rounds saw both fighters cautiously probing with jabs, feeling each other out and seeking an opening. Bentley’s powerful right hand posed a constant threat, grazing Pauls on several occasions before landing a solid blow that forced the champion to cover up. Pauls, however, responded with his own flurry of punches just before the bell, signaling his intent to engage. The second round saw a more aggressive exchange, with Pauls’ over-eagerness punished by Bentley’s sharp counter-punching. The champion adjusted his approach, landing several telling blows of his own as the round progressed. The atmosphere was electric, with both fighters’ passionate supporters creating a cacophony of chants echoing through the arena.
As the fight entered the middle rounds, Bentley’s jab became increasingly prominent, though Pauls effectively defended against his power shots with impressive composure and skill. Pauls gained confidence, targeting Bentley’s body with crisp jabs and landing a left hook to the head. The fifth round belonged to Pauls, who effectively mixed up his attack, targeting Bentley’s body and then capitalizing on the lowered guard to land blows to the head. Despite absorbing these shots, Bentley, a product of the renowned Peacock gym, showed no signs of distress. Pauls maintained his momentum in the sixth, dictating the pace and applying relentless pressure.
The seventh round showcased the fighters’ skill and resilience, with both men launching and defending attacks with equal ferocity. The arena was split between chants of “Newquay Bomb” for Pauls and “Too Sharp” for Bentley, reflecting the evenly matched nature of the contest. The eighth and ninth rounds continued in a similar vein, both grueling and closely contested. These rounds showcased the high quality of British boxing, with both fighters demonstrating technical prowess, unwavering determination, and remarkable stamina.
The tide turned dramatically in the tenth. Pauls, momentarily stunned by Bentley’s attack, found himself on the defensive. He rallied bravely, landing several right hands of his own. However, a seemingly innocuous combination from Bentley caused significant damage to Pauls’ left eye, forcing him to take a knee. Upon rising, the extent of the injury was evident, with pronounced swelling emerging above Pauls’ left eye. Bentley capitalized on this opening, unleashing a barrage of punches until the bell.
Despite the debilitating eye injury, Pauls displayed incredible heart, entering the eleventh round determined to continue the fight. He fought valiantly in another enthralling round of boxing, but Bentley, now firmly in control, pressed his advantage. The final round was a testament to both fighters’ spirit, with each man throwing everything they had left in a final, furious exchange. While Pauls showed remarkable courage and resilience in the face of adversity, it was Bentley who ultimately prevailed, reclaiming his British middleweight title in a hard-fought and memorable contest.
