Boxing fans were hit with a curveball this week when Floyd Schofield pulled out of his scheduled world title fight against Shakur Stevenson at the last minute. The fight, set to take place this Saturday in Saudi Arabia, was supposed to be a major step up for Schofield. Instead, the American has withdrawn due to illness, leaving an unexpected but game replacement in Josh Padley—a name that, if we’re being honest, didn’t ring many bells for most fight fans.
Now, with just days to prepare, the British underdog has been handed the opportunity of a lifetime. But who is Josh Padley, and does he have what it takes to shake up the lightweight division?
Schofield’s Withdrawal: What Went Down?
Floyd Schofield, an undefeated American prospect, was lined up to challenge Stevenson for the WBC lightweight title, but reports suggest he became “too ill” to fight. Now, I’m not one to doubt a fighter’s condition, but this is a brutal business—fighters push through illness all the time, so it must be serious if he’s stepping away from the biggest fight of his career.
Either way, his withdrawal leaves us with an unexpected challenger in Josh Padley, who has to get his head around the fact that he’s gone from fighting domestic-level opposition to standing across the ring from one of the most technically gifted boxers in the world.
(For more on Schofield’s withdrawal, check out Sky Sports.)
Josh Padley: From Unknown Fighter to World Title Challenger
I’ll be completely honest—I had to Google Josh Padley when this news broke. Even as a hardcore boxing fan, his name didn’t immediately stand out, and that’s not meant as an insult—it just shows how far under the radar he’s been.
Hailing from Yorkshire, Padley is 29 years old and boasts an undefeated record of 15-0. His most notable win came in September when he shocked Mark Chamberlain on the Anthony Joshua vs. Daniel Dubois undercard. That was a great win, and it proved he’s got grit, but let’s be real—Mark Chamberlain is nowhere near the level of Shakur Stevenson.
This is a massive jump in competition for Padley, and it’s a fair question to ask whether he’s ready for it. But, as the saying goes, fortune favours the brave, and sometimes an underdog can turn a last-minute opportunity into history.
(For more on Padley’s record and past fights, check BoxRec.)
Shakur Stevenson: A Nightmare Opponent for Anyone
If Josh Padley is stepping into the unknown, then he’s stepping into it against one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. Shakur Stevenson is, in my opinion, one of the best defensive boxers in the sport today. The guy barely gets hit, controls distance better than almost anyone, and makes elite fighters look average.
His CV speaks for itself—he’s already won world titles at featherweight, super-featherweight, and now lightweight, and he’s beaten some serious names:
- Oscar Valdez (made him look like an amateur)
- Jamel Herring (dominated him)
- Joet Gonzalez (hardly got touched)
Padley’s best bet? Make it ugly. Stevenson thrives when he’s dictating the pace and fighting at his own rhythm, so Padley has to make it uncomfortable, turn it into a scrap, and force Stevenson into a fight he doesn’t want. But can he do that against a guy as slick as Stevenson? That’s the million-dollar question.
(For a deeper analysis of Stevenson’s skillset, check out The Ring Magazine.)
The Lightweight Division is on Fire Right Now
Regardless of how this fight plays out, the lightweight division is absolutely stacked right now. Gervonta Davis, Devin Haney, Vasiliy Lomachenko—these guys are all circling for big fights, and Stevenson is right in the mix.
If he beats Padley (which let’s be honest, is the expected outcome), then the next step should be a mega fight with one of those names. If Padley somehow pulls off the upset, though? That would be one of the biggest shocks in recent boxing history—think Andy Ruiz vs. Anthony Joshua levels of unexpected.
(For the latest on the lightweight division, follow ESPN Boxing.)
Final Thoughts: A Huge Opportunity for Padley
Look, let’s call it what it is—Josh Padley is in deep waters here. This isn’t a gradual step up, this is a vertical leap to the top of the mountain. Fighters dream of world title shots, and Padley has been handed one out of nowhere.
But that’s what makes boxing special, isn’t it? Who doesn’t love an underdog story? If Padley somehow pulls this off, it’ll go down as one of the greatest upsets ever. The reality is, he’s up against a generational talent in Stevenson, and winning is going to require the performance of his life.
Either way, I hope he goes for it—grabs the opportunity with both hands and gives it everything. Because even if he doesn’t win, a strong showing could open doors to bigger fights and put his name on the map.
Don’t Miss This Fight!
With Daniel Dubois vs. Joseph Parker also on the card, plus the Beterbiev vs. Bivol undisputed light-heavyweight clash, this is shaping up to be one of the best nights of boxing in 2025.
So, what do you think? Does Josh Padley stand a chance, or is Shakur Stevenson too good? Drop your thoughts in the comments, share this article, and head over to CMBoxing for more in-depth fight previews, analysis, and everything you need to stay up to date with the boxing world!