Part-time electrician Josh Padley will face Shakur Stevenson for his WBC lightweight world title, talkSPORT.com can confirm.
Stevenson was set to defend his belt against Floyd Schofield Jr on Saturday night on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol II undercard in Saudi Arabia.
However, that fight has since been cancelled when Schofield Jr was deemed medically unfit to compete by the British Boxing Board of Control (BBBofC).
Padley (15-0) is a former Central Area champion and hasn’t fought anyone near the level of Stevenson, although he was ranked No.12 by the WBC following his win over Mark Chamberlain at Wembley Stadium in September.
As a result, WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman has confirmed to talkSPORT.com that Padley is eligible to compete for Stevenson’s green and gold strap.
In a remarkable turnaround, befitting of a Rocky film, Padley, who works as a part-time electrician, will face his ultimate test in Stevenson.
Padley was allowed eight weeks off work to fight Chamberlain and will now down tools to fly to Saudi to step in and fight one of the best boxers on the planet on short notice for a world title.
Reacting to his make-shift fight with Padley getting over the line, Stevenson told Hawksbee and Jacobs on talkSPORT: “[His background] means he wants it a lot more than anybody else.
“I’m gonna beat him up, though, that’s what I’m going to do. I’ll beat him up and let him know he’s in there with an elite-level fighter.
“Honestly, I watched one round [of Padley fighting] and I said let’s just make it happen. I’m willing to fight anybody.
“I know if it was me I would already be in the gym working and if I’m close to fighting weight then I’m ready to go.
“I respect him for what he’s doing, but I would for sure be willing to do the same thing.”
Padley wants to commit to boxing full time but at present it isn’t a financially viable option.
Following his victory over Chamberlain he was back at work a couple of weeks later.
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