Nathan Heaney vs Brad Pauls: Betting Odds & Prediction
(Featured image: Alamy Images)
Nathan Heaney looks to make the first defence of his British middleweight title against Brad Pauls in Birmingham on Saturday.
The pair are set to headline the 'Magnificent Seven' bill put on by Frank Warren's Queensberry Promotions at the Resorts World Arena.
Tale of the Tape
Stoke's Heaney (18-0, 6KOs) heads into the bout following a career-best performance over former title-holder Denzel Bentley in November. Heaney edged a tight split-decision victory after twelve rounds in Manchester to realise his dream of becoming British champion.
This weekend sees Pauls (18-1, 10KOs) fight for the Lord Lonsdale belt for the first time. The Essex-based middleweight has previously won the English title at 160lbs.
Heaney's victory over Bentley was the first time the former had fought the full twelve-round distance. Pauls meanwhile has never fought over twelve but has gone ten rounds twice previously.
Neither man is renowned as a huge puncher, but Pauls boasts the higher KO record, winning 52.6% of his fights inside the distance compared to Heaney's 33.3%.
Prediction
Heaney no doubt possesses the most impressive victory of the two. Bentley had impressed in a loss to middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly a year before facing Heaney but was outboxed and outworked across the twelve in Manchester last November.
Pauls meanwhile lost a ten-round unanimous decision to Tyler Denny in February last year. The defeat has aged well though, with Denny having since claimed the European middleweight crown.
Heaney fought at a level many thought was beyond him against Bentley, and it remains to be seen if he can maintain it beyond his crowning moment against a hungry challenger in Pauls. The champion should still have too much for the Essex man, holding an advantage in both size and reach. Heaney's jab was excellent against Bentley and should carry him to a fairly comfortable decision on points come the end of the fight.
There is little value on the moneyline with Heaney coming in at 7/20. Coupling the champion to win outright with some of the other cards on the bill could prove the best pick.