Brad Pauls and Denzel Bentley will clash this weekend in London for the British, European, and WBO international titles.
The winner of this fight will earn the right to challenge Janibek Alimkhanuly for the WBO world title. With both fighters keen to shorten the road to the ultimate prize in the middleweight division, here’s our Brad Pauls vs Denzel Bentley prediction.
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Brad Pauls vs Denzel Bentley prediction: Tale of the tape
Bentley previously held the British middleweight championship, but lost it to Nathan Heaney last year. A win against Paul, however, will see the belt return to his collection.
He took only two rounds to secure a knockout victory against Derrick Osaze the last time around, and also raced to a swift victory against Danny Dignum in the fight before that.
Although the newly-crowned British middleweight champion Pauls lost his unbeaten record to Tyler Denny last year, he has shown grit and determination since then, racking up a series of impressive results to maintain his impressive record.
Succeeding where Bentley failed, Brad Pauls comes into this one fresh off a remarkable victory against Heaney.
Fight odds and win probability
Here are the current Brad Pauls vs Denzel Bentley odds:
- Brad Pauls: 6/5 (2.20) – Implied probability 45.5%
- Denzel Bentley: 4/6 (4.33) – Implied probability 23.1%
- Draw: 14/1 (15.00) – Implied probability 6.7%
*Brad Pauls vs Denzel Bentley betting odds from Kwiff, subject to change.
Keys to victory
We are expecting a mouth-watering fight that will go down till the last second. Momentum is on Pauls' side to claim an underdog victory, but Bentley has not been in bad form either. He has dominated his opponents in both of his last fights.
Brad Pauls: Be patient
Pauls’ style has often been described as calculated and methodical. While Bentley is known for his aggression, Pauls can thrive by adopting a more measured approach, picking his shots and taking his time. Bentley’s fast-paced, high-pressure style could leave him open to counter attacks if he over commits or lunges.
Pauls should focus on exploiting these openings, making Bentley miss and capitalising on mistakes. By staying composed and sticking to a disciplined game plan, Pauls can tire Bentley out over the rounds, potentially leading to a late stoppage or decision victory.
Denzel Bentley: Start strong and finish early
Bentley clearly outperforms Pauls in terms of power, as evidenced by his 85% knockout ratio, compared to Pauls’ 58%. So, Bentley’s best chance lies in using his explosive start to establish dominance early. By coming out strong, setting a fast pace, and pressuring Pauls from the outset, he can force Pauls into a defensive mode, disrupting his rhythm.
Pauls has shown he is capable of being methodical, so Bentley needs to prevent him from settling into a tactical game. If Bentley can overwhelm Pauls in the opening rounds, he could cause him to falter and take control of the fight.
Brad Pauls vs Denzel Bentley: Key stats
- Brad Pauls' last three fights have taken place over a span of one year, nine months, and 26 days, averaging a fight every seven months and nine days. In those bouts, he fought for a total of 34 rounds, with an average of 11.3 rounds per fight.
- Meanwhile, Denzel Bentley’s last five fights have taken place over two years and 25 days, averaging one fight every five months. Across these bouts, he fought for a total of 29 rounds, with an average of 5.8 rounds per fight.
- In his last five fights, Denzel Bentley has stopped three opponents, with Derrick Osaze, Danny Dignum, and Kieran Smith all exiting the ring before the final bell.
Brad Pauls vs Denzel Bentley hot tip: Pauls to win via decision
Ultimately, Brad Pauls and Denzel Bentley both come into this fight in great form, so it could boil down to experience. Even with three fewer fights on his record, Pauls could be considered the more experienced of the two, having made his debut in 2016, 18 months before Bentley, who turned pro in 2017. Additionally, Pauls has fought 21 more rounds, with a total of 118 compared to Bentley’s 97.
The fight should go the distance, since there is little to differentiate the two fighters right now. However, we are expecting Pauls to nick a victory via decision.
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Bren is our resident Kiwi, and has been playing or watching sports down under in New Zealand for the better part of three decades. With 12+ years experience as a professional writer, Bren loves to dive deep into all things sport to bring the best betting analysis and predictions here at Mr Fixits Tips.
