'I wanted activity!' - Pauls relishing second homecoming in Southampton

But sadly, the chance of taking a major show onto his own turf remains a distant dream right now for one very big reason.

"You can't have a pro show in Cornwall because it doesn't have the right hospital, the right specialists," he muses to DAZN News.

"It's too far away. I'm not sure there's even a venue for it anyway. You've got to take what you can get when it's close enough."

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Close enough, in this case, will be Southampton, when Pauls returns to the ring against Bradley Goldsmith this weekend.

The Solent is a familiar enough spot for the star, who cut his amateur teeth in the port city as a teenager eyeing the top.

Now, he has the chance to deliver the goods at St. Mary's Stadium, in what many view as the biggest of his career thus far.

Is he ready to be back so soon after his prior outing? Pauls gives a wry grin, scratches his cheek. "It's a quick turnaround, yeah.

"But it's a massive occasion and a massive opportunity. I wanted activity and that's what I've been given, so I'm very happy."

'Maybe I need to start faster'

2025 was a difficult year for Pauls. Having lost his British middleweight title to Denzel Bentley in December, he wanted a swift return.

Instead, he booked just the one fight - a relatively lopsided May win over Omir Rodriguez - and otherwise was left to kick his heels.

"One eight-rounder, that's not enough," he reflects. "It was so slow with progression. It's why I'm taking these opportunities with both hands."

Having already turned over Shakiel Thompson in March, Pauls will be one up before the halfway point of the year. How many more does he want?

"I think when the fights are bigger, if you can have three a year, you're doing well," he adds. "Especially if they're ten or twelve-rounders."

His win over Thompson ranked amongst his most impressive turns in the ring too, adding further confidence and exprience to his bag of tricks.

"Massive credit to him, he's a brilliant fighter," Pauls says of his former foe. "Tall, and awkward too. But once I had him hurt, it was a matter of time.

"I've taken some lessons. Maybe I need to start faster, close the gap sooner. Every fight is different. It just adds to the arsenal moving forward."

'People think I can't box at all'

To Southampton then, and the chance to build his case for a world-level shot. But more than that, it will double as a secondary homecoming.

"I boxed here for four years," Pauls muses. "I earned my national titles as an amateur there. It's as close to Cornwall as I can get on television."

What does he remember from his time there? "I had twelve wins in a row, half by knockout. I started to prove my level. There's good memories."

He still holds friendships from his time there. Lewis Edmondson, higher up the bill, was one he spent plenty of time alongside, cutting his teeth.

Leigh Dawney/ Queensbury

"We used to spar rounds, run and train all the time," he adds, with a grin. "It's all a bit familiar now, which makes it that little bit more enjoyable."

Victory over Goldsmith could prove a life-changing result. But more than that, St Mary's Stadium offers a chance for Pauls to answer his critics.

"I think people think I can't box at all," he notes wrly. "They just think I can have a bit of a tear-up. But I've boxed for over twenty-three years.

"My distance, my timing, my footwork, my awareness, my defence, I think all of these things are sort of overlooked.

"If people think you can punch, then you're seen as a slugger or a brawler. That's not the case for me. There's plenty of strengths in there."

Zayas vs. Ennis - watch only on DAZN

Xander Zayas defends his WBO and WBA super welterweight titles against Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis on Saturday, June 27, exclusively live on DAZN. Buy as a one-off PPV or included, along with Joshua vs. Prenga (July 25) and Canelo vs. M'billi (Sept 12) PPVs, with a DAZN Ultimate Tier subscription.

For more information, pricing and to buy, click here .