THERE are few industries that move as fast as the world of boxing, in sport and in life, and Josh Padley is the perfect example of how quick things can materialise in the wild landscape that is the fight game.
Earlier this week, full-time electrician Padley was waiting by the phone, hoping that a call from a promoter would come but beginning to lose faith that it would. Now, he is gearing himself up for a shot at Shakur Stevenson and the coveted WBC lightweight crown.
Unknown by the masses, Padley, 15-0 (4 KOs), was drafted in to fight Turki Alalshikh’s supposed favourite fighter, Mark Chamberlain, 16-1 (12 KOs), at Wembley Stadium last September, expected to be quickly dismissed by the then undefeated world title hopeful.
Yet, the South-Yorkshireman had other ideas and instead it was he who maintained his unbeaten record, putting an end to Chamberlain’s momentum with a unanimous-decision victory and a domestic upset of the year. Padley skyrocketed in the lightweight rankings, expecting to be rewarded handsomely for his efforts.
However, despite being ranked within the top 12 in three of the four sanctioning bodies, Padley told Boxing News on Monday that he had yet to receive an offer to be signed by a promoter or to fight on another lucrative Riyadh Season bill, meaning that he could not leave his full-time job and fully commit to boxing.
“We were hoping to get signed to a major promoter after the Chamberlain fight but unfortunately after a few months of waiting it didn’t happen. We’ve had a few fight offers, but I was banking on getting signed first which hasn’t happened so now it’s just about getting the right fight. I’m in a really good position ranking wise with most of the major bodies so just need to use that to our advantage to get the best and biggest fight for me.
“[I] wouldn’t say [that I was] disappointed [by the lack of interest from Turki Alalshikh]. I think that, if I got the [WBC Silver] title, it would have been a different story as I would have been the champion, but I’m still very highly ranked now so hopefully an opportunity will come eventually.
“I wish I knew [why nobody has been in touch] because if beating a top-level kid at the weight above doesn’t make a statement what does?”
Game as ever, ‘Paddy’ went on to explain that he was now playing ‘the waiting game’, seeking another opportunity will leave him best poised in the division, regardless of the level at which that may be at.
“I will take whichever is the best opportunity [next, at the domestic or world level]. It would be nice to keep chasing that [world] level of fights but without a promoter it’s a bit of a waiting game to see what offers come to us.”
Due to the illness and subsequent withdrawal of Floyd Schofield, Josh Padley received the call out to fly out to Riyadh and challenge Stevenson this weekend, likely reaping financial benefits as well as global exposure.
Understandably, Padley will step through the ropes as a monumental underdog and may fear that the short-notice nature of this chance will further impact the likelihood of an upset, but a free hit at a world champion on what is being labelled as the most impressive card since the turn of the millennium is an opportunity that cannot be shunned.
Should Padley once again pull off the scalp of the year and become WBC champion, his phone is sure to begin to ring and promoters will be sat pondering why they did not approach him sooner and even in defeat, the Doncaster-born contender will become a much bigger name, who others may begin to target.
Padley signed off by revealing his goal of ‘chasing titles and a promotional deal’ that will allow him to fight full-time to ‘unlock his full potential’. Little did he know, he would have the chance to secure both in just a matter of days.
