NEWQUAY boxer Brad Pauls is scrambling to find a new opponent after his planned fight on November 13 was cancelled.

The 33-year-old, a former British and IBF International middleweight champion, is now targeting a possible December date as he looks to stay active ahead of a major fight planned for February.

Pauls admitted he was “absolutely gutted” by the cancellation but remains hopeful of securing a replacement bout within weeks.

“It’s not ideal, but we have to scramble and try to find a new date to fight before Christmas,” he said on social media. “We’re looking at a few, possibly just a couple weeks into December, which I’ll announce properly soon.”

The Cornishman is keen to get back to winning ways after losing his IBF International belt to Bradley Goldsmith in June. That defeat was only the third of his 25-fight professional career, which has also included one draw.

Pauls had been targeting a world title opportunity after producing one of the standout performances of his career in March, when he knocked out highly-rated Shakiel Thompson.

He previously claimed the British middleweight title in July 2024, stopping Nathan Heaney in their rematch four months after their first contest ended in a draw.

However, his progress was checked by a defeat to Denzel Bentley in a European title fight in December 2024.

After fighting just once in 2025, on a low-key card in Torquay, Pauls returned to the spotlight against Thompson and is eager to maintain that momentum. He believes securing another fight before the end of the year could prove crucial to his preparations for the next big opportunity.

“It’s massively important I fight again before the end of the year,” he added. “I’ve got a bigger fight lined up for February time, back on the big stage, and I want to give myself every advantage for these big fights, so I need to be active and to get out before the end of the year.”