Finally Padley goes down! A southpaw cross drops him! He thuds the mat with his glove, showing his annoyance.
Padley is back up, and Shakur is landing again – but Padley is, too! His courage has been something to see.
Oh! Down goes Padley again, this time from a body shot. He’s up again, to cheers in the Kingdom Arena!
Another body shot puts down Padley again, and he’s up in time for the bell, but the towel comes in!! It’s all over!
Shakur Stevenson def. Josh Padley via TKO (corner stoppage, 3:00)
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:57
More of the same in the eighth: Shakur doing the better work, but Padley being stubborn and resilient.
(Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:53
Who thought Padley would make it past the halfway mark? Well… to be honest, it was always a possibility, given Shakur’s recent lack of finishing ability.
A pair of whipping, wicked hooks from Shakur now, though.
Padley keeps going, keeps throwing, biting down on his mouthpiece.
Shakur hurts Padley to the body, however, and laughs at the Briton.
Padley makes it to the bell, even throwing back in the final seconds!
Shakur stares down the underdog… Champ, you need a KO for your reputation!
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:49
Padley with a slightly messy but successful combination at close range.
Shakur with a big right hook to the head, and Padley retreats. Now Shakur lands to the body, before teeing off to the head with a trio of spiteful, straight punches!
Padley’s head is rocked back badly by each one, yet still he keeps throwing!
Now Padley is backed up to the ropes, and Shakur is pouring on the offence, seeking a finish…
But back comes Padley! How?! The crowd cheers, and Shakur looks out into the stands in disbelief!
Padley is a winner tonight, no matter what. Every time Shakur has a spell of success, Padley defiantly throws a combo of his own!
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:44
Shakur has obviously boxed well so far, but when will he dial it up? He needs a stoppage tonight or – to be blunt – he will be ridiculed.
Shakur ties up Padley’s right arm and buries a left hook into the body.
Shakur is warned, for the second time tonight, about hitting Padley behind the head.
Padley with a better spell now, including a sharp jab. Shakur with a clean jab of his own.
Now Shakur is going after Padley! Landing with both hands, and Padley looks to be in a bit of trouble… but still the underdog fires back!
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:40
Shakur steps in with a straight, and Padley retaliates with a hook. He then chases Shakur into the corner with another hook, but he smothers his work slightly.
Padley is struggling with Shakur’s jab again. Now Shakur steps back to evade a cross to the body.
It is silent in the arena, by the way.
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:36
Decent one-two by Padley, in and out, but Shakur immediately seeks revenge. A couple of slick shots upstairs by the American, then a heavy right hook to the body.
Padley gets off the ropes with a body shot then a pair of hooks to the head. Shakur snaps back his head with a jab, though.
Great cross to the body from range by Padley. Another snapping jab from Shakur.
More good jabs late in the round, then a fizzing one-two, and Padley stumbles!
Shakur Stevenson (right) boxing late-notice replacement Josh Padley (Getty Images)
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:33
Shakur is on the front foot, trying to get Padley to open up. No bites from Padley, so Shakur chases him with a trio of jabs. He adds a cross, too.
Southpaw Shakur is maintaining outside foot position. He steps in with a great cross and a couple of extra shots!
Padley with some body shots in the clinch thereafter, but that was a great blitz from Shakur.
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:28
At just 27, Shakur is already a three-weight champion.
But he needs a big showing after a few uninspired performances – especially as Padley is stepping in on short notice and isn’t considered in the same league.
Yet Padley, 29, is unbeaten, upset Mark Chamberlain last time out, and he’ll back himself.
In fact, the orthodox boxer backs up his southpaw opponent and lands a couple of decent rights!
Hard left hook the body after a right cross upstairs. Shakur tries to laugh it off.
Alex Pattle22 February 2025 21:24
Unbeaten American star Shakur Stevenson defends his WBC lightweight title against Josh Padley.
Britain’s Padley steps in on four days’ notice, after Stevenson’s original foe – Floyd Schofield – withdrew due to illness.
This is expected to be light work for Stevenson, but what a story for part-time electrician Padley.
WBC lightweight champ Shakur Stevenson (left) faces Josh Padley, who steps in on late notice (Getty Images)
