NEWQUAY boxer Brad Pauls will aim to become Cornwall’s first British champion since the 1930s next month when he rematches current middleweight title holder Nathan Heaney on July 20.

The duo met earlier this year in a thrilling contest that was judged as a split draw, and the two will face off again at the Resorts Arena in Birmingham.

Pauls has 18 wins, a draw and a solitary defeat to his name from 20 bouts, and is confident of becoming the British middleweight champion, and Cornwall’s first since Len Harvey became the light-heavyweight king 85 years ago.

Speaking to BBC Radio Cornwall, Pauls, who is known as the ‘Newquay Bomb’ said: “"When I become the British champion on July 20 in Birmingham, I'll be the first British champion from my neck of the woods since 1939.

"It's a long time and it's nice to put myself in the history books."

A points defeat to English champion Tyler Denny in February 23 is Pauls’ only blemish, but believes he can take plenty from the first fight with Heaney into their rematch.

He continued: “"It's a nice feeling going into the next fight knowing he can't really hurt me and I know I can hurt him.

"So I feel the momentum's with me, I feel like I've got everything to gain and the pressure's still on him, so it's going to be a good one.

"This time we know what works and what doesn't work.

"We know I can do 12 rounds now, that's a box ticked off, and I feel like if we're just on him a little bit earlier and don't give him a chance to breathe, I'm going to get to him at some point.

"I feel like the fight will be more of the same next time, so it should be good for the fans."