Brad Pauls became the new British middleweight champion at Resorts World in Birmingham, scoring a stunning final round win against Nathan Heaney.
Pauls (19-1-1, 11 KOs) left no doubt this time around after a split decision draw in March, knocking down Heaney (18-1-1, 6 KOs) in the fourth round before halting him with seconds to go.
Heaney began well, connecting with a crisp uppercut in the opening round, and he was in control in the main for the first three rounds, until a counter right hand found the mark from Pauls, and deposited him to the canvas in round four.
The Stoke man was struggling to impose his will, with the challenger’s shots much meatier, and the 35-year-old’s nose was bloodied before halfway.
Pauls began to slow down though towards the championship rounds, and the fight looked up for grabs as the pair unloaded and gave their all for the Lonsdale Belt.
‘The Newquay Bomb’ poured on the pressure in the penultimate frame, with Heaney unsteady, and in the last round, a volley of unanswered punches from Pauls forced the ‘Hitman’ to the canvas, and he sat out the count.
Cameron sees off Mekhaled
Chantelle Cameron made her Queensberry debut on the undercard, and she took the interim WBC super lightweight title, but had to settle for a majority decision win against Elhem Mekhaled (17-3, 3 KOs).
Cameron (19-1, 8 KOs) showcased her skills, and dominated in the main, but somehow one judge had the bout 95-95, overruled by scores of 99-91 and 98-92 for the former undisputed champion.
Cain claims British and Commonwealth titles
Andrew Cain became the new British and Commonwealth bantamweight champion, scoring a fifth round stoppage against Ashley Lane.
Cain (12-1, 11 KOs) decked Lane (18-11-2, 3 KOs) with a volley of punches in the fifth, and shortly after the resumption, a wicked body shot signalled the conclusion.
Essuman KO’s Cooper
In an absolute war at welterweight, Ekow Essuman took the WBO European title, knocking out Owen Cooper in the tenth and final round of their meeting.
Essuman (20-1, 8 KOs) scored a sixth round knockdown, but was then floored heavily in the ninth by a massive Cooper (10-1, 4 KOs) right hand.
Absolutely incredible from @ee_engine 💣
Ekow Essuman knocks out Owen Cooper with a wicked left hook in the tenth & final round… wow!#Magnificent7 | #HeaneyPauls2 pic.twitter.com/kXsBQ0xC0p
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) July 20, 2024
At the start of the final frame, Essuman landed a short shot, and with Worcester man reeling, a two-fisted attack from the former British and Commonwealth champion had him down and out.
Parker halts Arnfield
Zach Parker continued his rebuild after defeat to John Ryder in 2022, and the super middleweight halted Jack Arnfield in four rounds.
Parker (25-1, 18 KOs) landed with a cuffing right hand in the fourth that shook and dropped Arnfield (26-4, 6 KOs) and although he managed to resume, a follow-up attack and a chopping right hand had the 35-year-old on the floor once more, and the referee had seen enough.
Excellent work from Zach Parker as he finishes Jack Arnfield in the fourth round 💥#Magnificent7 | #HeaneyPauls2 pic.twitter.com/w2Ivqhqcbt
— Boxing on TNT Sports (@boxingontnt) July 20, 2024
Dacres wins Webster rematch
Sol Dacres retained his English heavyweight title, as he stopped Michael Webster in the seventh round.
Dacres (9-0, 3 KOs) won their original meeting by close majority decision, but this time he improved on that by decking Webster (10-2, 6 KOs) with a hard right hand that scrambled the challenger’s senses, and the fight was waved off mid-count.
Remaining Undercard
Ezra Taylor claimed his first professional title, the vacant WBC International light heavyweight belt, taking a clear win on the cards over ten against Carlos Alberto Lamela (8-4, 5 KOs).
Taylor (9-0, 6 KOs) won by two scores of 99-91, and a third at 97-93.
Shabaz Masoud (13-0, 4 KOs), ticked over after his clash with Liam Davies was postponed, and he outclassed Marvin Solano (24-18, 8 KOs), taking an 80-70 win over eight at featherweight.
A four rounder at super flyweight saw Bradley Thompson (5-0, 2 KOs) win all four rounds against Stephen Jackson (1-52-1, 1 KO).
