Bentley defeats Pauls in British title middleweight clash

Denzel Bentley positioned himself within reach of a world title shot after making history and becoming a British middleweight champion for a third time with a unanimous decision points win over Brad Pauls in an entertaining fight at the OVO Arena Wembley.

Bentley won convincingly with scores of 117-110, 116-111 and 115-112 after dropping Pauls in round 10. 

Bentley claimed the vacant European title after Pauls resurgence in the middle rounds to ensure victory and maintain his WBO mandatory position against Janibek Alimkhanuly in Kazakhstan, who previously defeated Bentley two years ago to set up a possible rematch in 2025. 

Bentley started well in rounds one and two, landing at will. Pauls got into the fight in the fifth when his punch output increased. Bentley's movement was key to victory, getting in and out of range. In the best round of the fight, Pauls took a knee after Bentley landed two powerful jabs that left Pauls grimacing with his left eye completely closed. 

Sam Noakes went the full twelve rounds as he made a defence of his British lightweight title against Ryan Walsh. Noakes won a lopsided decision with scores of 119-109, and the other two judges agreed, scoring the bout 120-108. Noakes is ranked the number three challenger to WBO world lightweight champion Denys Berinchyk from Ukraine. 

Former WBO cruiserweight champion and WBC Bridgerweight champion Lawrence Okolie won easily in his first fight as a heavyweight, as he won easily with a first-round knockout against Hussein Muhammed. Okolie sent Muhammed to the canvas with a big right hand and could not continue as the referee waved the fight off. 

David Adeleye captured the English heavyweight title against former champion Solomon Dacres with a stunning first-round knockout. Adeleye was making his first appearance since October 2023, losing to domestic rival Fabio Wardley for the British title. Dacres was previously unbeaten and had won his first nine fights, but he was obliterated. Adeleye threw a punishing left hook, which landed flush on the skull of Dacres and was sent crashing to the canvas. The referee immediately waved off proceedings.