Professional career
Pauls made his professional boxing debut at York Hall on December 5, 2015.
His ambition to complete a boxing trifecta by winning the Southern Area, English and British middleweight titles began in his 13th fight, beating Darren Codona in three rounds to win the Southern Area. However, his hopes of becoming English champion were dashed by a resurgent Tyler Denny in February 2023. Pauls described the points loss as “a massive blessing in disguise”.
Pauls would only have to wait seven months to complete the second part of his trifecta with victory over Mitchell Frearson by eighth-round stoppage. He then moved forward to face British champion Nathan Heaney in March 2024. After 12 rounds the pair could not be separated with a split draw the verdict. Four months later, Pauls got his hands on the Lonsdale belt, taking the result out of the judges’ hands by stopping Heaney in the final round.
That win also created history for Pauls who became Cornwall’s first British champion since Len Harvey retained the light heavyweight version in July 1939. In August 2024 Pauls received a citizenship award for outstanding achievement from Newquay Town Council in honour of his British title achievement.
Trainers
Terry Steward
Pauls paid tribute to his long-time trainer in his post-fight interview with TNT Sports after beating Heaney in the rematch, saying, “I owe it to Terry – he’s been with me since day one.
“I fought on small halls for my first 15 fights and now I finally got my roses, I owe it all to Terry for sticking with me every day. What a man.”
