‘You’re gonna get a classic’

British promoter and founder of Queensberry Promotions, Frank Warren is anticipating a “fantastic fight” when Nathan Heaney and Brad Pauls go head-to-head for the British middleweight title on Saturday night.

The latest edition of the Magnificent Seven returns live on TNT Sports and discovery+ on Saturday in Birmingham, with defending champion Heaney’s bout against Pauls being the headline fight.

Pauls has won with his last two fights after suffering the first defeat of his professional career to Tyler Derry last year at Wembley Arena.

Speaking at the Magnificent Seven press conference on Thursday, Warren said the fight is destined to be a “classic”.

“It’s got the ingredients of a fantastic fight,” he said. “They’re both superbly prepared for the fight, I’ve spoken to both and they both fancy their chances and I think you’re gonna get a classic.

“The atmosphere is gonna be electric and it’s going to be about who imposes himself on this fight and who really gets going fast and commands the ring. That in itself is going to be interesting for me. No doubt about it, you’re gonna get a classic. Styles make fights and these styles will make a fight.”

There was a lot of respect between the two fighters prior to this weekend’s fight and Pauls said he is looking forward to being the “villain” as he seeks to claim the title.

“It was like destiny getting booed for the first time in my last fight [against Mitchell Frearson],” he said. “I quite enjoyed it in a weird way.

“I fully understand that I’m going to be the villain on Saturday night, that’s absolutely fine with me. I’ve got 151 Cornish coming up – it’s got nothing on Nathan’s 2,000 – but I’m sure they’ll be noisy. It’s all energy and how you use it and I’ll use it in my favour and give it everything I’ve got.”

When reflecting on his first career defeat, Pauls added: “Denny was my first loss and it was a massive, massive lesson learned.

“I’ve improved and come back and added to my camp and I think everything [happens] for a reason because that has set me up perfectly for Saturday night.”

When asked for his thoughts going into his first title defence, Heaney said: “I have to remind myself that I’m the British champ, I’m always striving to be better.

“The fact of the matter is that when we step into that ring on Saturday night, that belt gets taken away from me anyway. Whatever the result is, I’ll get it back or lose it so technically it doesn’t exist at this moment in time for me.”

He continued: “I expect a very, very well-prepared fighter but the minimum expectation is that you are in incredible fitness and shape and like he said, our styles might work together and make a great fight but we won’t know that until the night. But, we’re both very ready.”

How to watch Heaney v Pauls on TV in the UK

Nathan Heaney v Brad Pauls can be watched in the UK & Ireland on TNT Sports.

The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination.

You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.

TNT Sports presents the premium live sports rights previously carried by BT Sport including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing and WWE. The streaming home for TNT Sports in the UK is discovery+, where fans can enjoy a subscription that includes TNT Sports, Eurosport and entertainment in one destination. You can also watch TNT Sports through BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media.