The Doncaster born fighter lasted 9 rounds with the WBC lightweight king on Saturday before trainer Jason Cunningham finally threw in the towel.
(Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing)
Shakur Stevenson had been scheduled to face American Floyd Schofield before the original challenger fell ill. The New Jersey southpaw dominated against late stand-in Padley and retained his WBC title, but it was the Englishman who won the hearts of those ringside.
In what was billed as a David vs Goliath bout, Padley started energetically and arguably edged the opening round, before the class and speed of the American shined through. Showing true Yorkshire grit, the 5”8 lightweight survived several lightning fast combinations from the champion in the middle rounds.
It wasn’t all one way traffic, however. Whenever he was backed onto the ropes, the 29-year-old fired back with combinations of his own and every punch that slipped through the champion’s guard was met with roars of approval.
In the 9th, Padley felt the power of some bruising body shots and lifted himself from the canvas three times, gaining nods of respect from his decorated opponent, before he was spared further punishment.
When the late call up reached Josh, he was working as an electrician in a loft with his trainer Jason Cunningham and only 11 months ago he was fighting in the banqueting suite at Elland Road in Leeds. On Saturday, he stepped into the ring with an Olympic silver medallist and undefeated professional. Despite the loss, Josh Padley can return home with his head held high.