WBC World Lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson of Newark, New Jersey (23-0, 11 KOs) stopped late replacement opponent Josh Padley of Yorkshire (15-1, 4 KOs) with a barrage of body shots, forcing Padley’s corner to toss in the towel and stop the fight at the end of the ninth round.
As ring announcer Thomas Treiber declared Stevenson the winner, fans at the ANB Arena in Riyadh booed. Stevenson gave them a thumbs down, then blew them kisses.
Shakur Stevenson controlled distance and got Josh Padley’s attention early with sharp, swift jabs. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing Shakur Stevenson controlled distance and got Josh Padley’s attention early with sharp, swift jabs. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing Stevenson fought the first six rounds behind sharp, snapping jabs. Padley took them well, but he never faced as skilled an opponent as Stevenson. The speed and precision of Stevenson, combined with his footwork, prevented Padley from fighting at his optimal distance.
Shakur Stevenson Presses for the Stoppage As Shakur Stevenson landed left hooks, he appeared to wince in pain. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing As Shakur Stevenson landed left hooks, he appeared to wince in pain. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing Stevenson could have continued like this all night, but he’s heard the criticism about his style being boring to watch. But Stevenson was in his first fight after surgery on his left hand. The scar is still visible. In the sixth round, Stevenson winced after landing a punch to Padley’s head. In the seventh round, it became clear Stevenson’s left was feeling some pain. Stevenson shook it several times after landing punches on Padley.
With his left hand apparently hurting, Shakur Stevenson got the job done with right hands to the body. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing With his left hand apparently hurting, Shakur Stevenson got the job done with right hands to the body. Photo: Mark Robinson, Matchroom Boxing Nevertheless, with an opponent like Padley in front of him and the pressure on to get a knockout, Stevenson began to press the action in the ninth round, focusing on the body. It was the winning recipe. Stevenson dropped Padley twice on body shots. Though Padley beat the count both times, his corner threw in the towel and waved off the fight,
A full-time electrician, Padley got the call four days before the fight. He acquitted himself well against one of the world’s most skillful fighters. It’s a net positive for Padley and something he can use to build his career. His nerve to take the fight won him plenty of fans worldwide.
