Josh Padley Reflects on Brave Loss to Shakur Stevenson: ‘There’s Levels to This Game’

On February 22 at the ANB Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Josh Padley stepped up on short notice to replace the ill Floyd Schofield and face WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. It was ultimately a brave effort by the Doncaster native before being stopped in the ninth round. Following this tough loss, the British fighter spoke to The Stomping Ground and reflected on sharing a ring with a current world champion.

Josh Padley Shares Honest Reflection on Feb. 22 Shakur Stevenson Defeat

‘There’s Levels to This Game’ – Josh Padley Reflects

During the WBC lightweight world title fight, Shakur Stevenson dominated with his speed, accuracy, and defensive acumen, landing shots while skillfully avoiding danger. Under pressure, Padley showed bravery and kept firing back. As the fight progressed, it felt like only a matter of time before the American fighter broke him down, continuing to target the body. The end came in round nine when Stevenson knocked Padley down three times before the fight was stopped at 3:00 of the round.

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When talking to The Stomping Ground, Padley reflected on not making the 12 rounds: “Gutted about it. Would have liked to have got the 12 rounds out, but conditioning weren’t quite there to the body, and obviously, like I said, three-weight world champion, four days’ notice.”

“There were times when I feel like I should have been able to slip his jab and stuff like that but I just couldn’t. No shame, I tried my hardest, and I’ll be back to fight another day,” added the Brit.

Padley Breaks Down Stevenson’s Skills and Future Goals

“His timing and stuff like that were on perfect point. Like I say no regrets, I tried 110% in there tonight. We’ll rebuild, regroup, and we’ll come back again,” said Padley, reflecting on the skills of his opponent.

“Obviously, like hitting me to the head and stuff and I feel like I’ve been hit harder to the head and then he banged me to the body and it took the wind fully out of me. I think it was just the conditioning on the body.”

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“There’s levels to this game and I’m not quite at that level yet. No shame in that. But I’m sure if I rebuild and have the right fights and get the right people behind me, I’m sure that one day I could be on that level,” said the Brit looking ahead to the future.

There’s no doubt that Padley’s bravery earned him plenty of praise. After two impressive back-to-back performances on Riyadh Season cards, could the Brit land a promotional deal to take his career to the next level?