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<\/p>\nJosh Padley: Beyond The Ropes<\/p>\n
There was a time when a European title fight would be celebrated. But in this modern era of endless and often tiresome social media comments, it\u2019s often viewed as not enough to carry a show. Maybe they have a point. Maybe we have just been spoiled. We have a little bit of that negativity this weekend in Sheffield at the latest Matchroom show. A card that has been decimated by injury-related withdrawals. <\/p>\n
The show goes on. Eddie Hearn deserves credit for not saying enough is enough and pulling the plug. First, it was Dalton Smith. One headliner was lost through injury. Galal Yafai stepped in, but he also fell away due to injury. Two world title fights gone. Hearn, not for the first time, kept the faith and kept the show on. Few would have blamed him if the entire show had been cancelled. But the fighters who have remained on the card will be extremely grateful that they will still get paid. That means more than the online haters. If you don\u2019t like. Don\u2019t watch. <\/p>\n
It is Josh Padley who is now the star of the show. The local fighter defends his European super-featherweight title against Aqib Fiaz. In the old days, that would have been enough to satisfy the critics. In truth, it should be enough now. There has been criticism of the card. But sometimes context is required. Regardless of what has been lost, Padley against Fiaz is still a European title fight. And it is a good fight, and one that is most certainly worth an investment of our time. Fiaz (14-1) isn\u2019t without hope, but his lack of recent ring time might harm him against an opponent who has been incredibly active of late. But it still might be one of those fights that has gone under the radar somewhat. It just might be a lot better fight than many people think. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s all about opportunities in this game,\u201d Padley said at this week\u2019s press conference. \u201cStay ready, and when the opportunities come, roll the dice and take the risk. I\u2019ve built a career from that, and this time an opportunity has come, and I\u2019m now the headliner.\u201d Not for the first time, Padley is in the right place at the right time. <\/p>\n
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Padley (18-1) is the favourite. But not by that much. The odds of 1\/4 are reflective. Some main events are far more one-sided. Sometimes you just want to see a good fight. A competitive fight. You can never guarantee anything in boxing. But Padley and Fiaz looks likely to satisfy. If it is given a chance. Online negativity is a constant. A given even. It justifies the existence of many an online critic.<\/p>\n
Josh Padley won\u2019t care too much about the outside noise. The Armthorpe fighter will see this as another massive opportunity for him. A gateway to even bigger things. The 30-year-old has had a taste of world title action previously. He wants back in. This time with the benefit of a full training camp. <\/p>\n
Not so long ago, Padley was fighting in relative obscurity. But a massive win over Mark Chamberlain in 2024 at Wembley Stadium changed everything. We forget that Chamberlain was flying at the time. Padley was expected to lose. He didn\u2019t. An even bigger night followed.<\/p>\n
In February last year, Padley accepted a Fight Week call to fight Shakur Stevenson in Riyadh for the WBC world lightweight title. Padley lost and was stopped by the pound-for-pound star, but he wasn\u2019t disgraced. Hearn soon came calling with a precious Matchroom contract. Padley rolled the dice on four days\u2019 notice, and despite getting stopped and losing his record to Stevenson. The gamble paid off. The electrician was now a full-time boxer.<\/p>\n
Three victories followed that defeat to Stevenson, including a stoppage victory over Jaouad Belmehdi in January that earned Padley his European title. Fiaz will be his first defence. Padley hopes it will lead to more. \u201cI\u2019ve always said that I\u2019d love to get back to a world title opportunity, given a full training camp and given a bit more than four days\u2019 notice. The way that I do that is to keep winning and keep progressing.\u201d A fighter fully intent on grabbing his latest opportunity with both hands. <\/p>\n
Josh Padley is one of the true feel-good stories that only boxing can truly deliver. A career that is riding high. A win on Saturday night at the Sheffield Arena on Saturday night, it could go a lot higher. <\/p>\n
Photo Credit: Mark Robinson\/Matchroom Boxing <\/p>\n
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\t\t\t\t\tPublished by FightPost: MMA & Boxing News\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n