In a surprising development, unbeaten British fighter Josh Padley is ready to take on Shakur Stevenson for the WBC lightweight championship this Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
This chance emerged after the initial challenger, Floyd Schofield Jr., pulled out due to an unexpected illness, which sparked accusations of poisoning.
Floyd Schofield Jr. was originally scheduled to compete against Stevenson but was considered medically unfit after becoming ill earlier this week. His father and trainer, Floyd Schofield Sr., accused foul play, indicating that his son may have been poisoned, although this assertion has since been taken back.
These allegations introduced a level of controversy to the event, leading to prompt action from the British Boxing Board of Control to pull Schofield from the fight.
Introducing Josh Padley: The Rise of the Underdog
Meet 29-year-old Josh Padley hailing from Doncaster, Yorkshire. With an impressive record of 15 wins and no losses, including a standout win against Mark Chamberlain on the undercard of the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois match in September 2024, Padley has been creating quite a stir in the boxing world. Juggling his boxing aspirations with a part-time job as an electrician, Padley was given the opportunity to compete against Stevenson just days before the bout, marking a pivotal moment in his professional career.
Shakur Stevenson: The Viewpoint of the Champion
Despite the last-minute opponent change, Shakur Stevenson, a three-division world champion with a perfect 22-0 record, seems unfazed. Although he respects Padley’s willingness to step up, Stevenson, who is known for his technical skill and defensive mastery, is intent on keeping his title. He said, “I’m gonna beat him up… and let him know he’s in there with an elite-level fighter.”
Event Highlights: ‘The Last Crescendo’
The fight between Stevenson and Padley is part of the much-anticipated ‘The Last Crescendo’ event, which features seven championship bouts. The main attraction is a rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol for the undisputed light heavyweight title. Other prominent matchups include Daniel Dubois defending his IBF heavyweight title against Joseph Parker, and an all-British showdown between Joshua Buatsi and Callum Smith for the WBO interim light heavyweight championship.
Predictions and Betting Lines for the Fight
Experts are largely backing Stevenson due to his greater experience and skill level. The betting lines support this view, indicating that Stevenson is likely to win, possibly by knockout in the later rounds. Nevertheless, Padley’s toughness and recent showings indicate that he shouldn’t be overlooked, resulting in a compelling matchup.
How to View
‘The Last Crescendo’ will be aired live on DAZN Pay-Per-View, with the Stevenson vs. Padley match projected to start at approximately 4 PM ET. Fans around the globe can watch this surprising yet intriguing title fight.
As the night of the fight draws near, the boxing community is keenly awaiting to see if Padley can capitalize on this unexpected chance or if Stevenson will maintain his dominance in the lightweight division.