World title path opens for Josh Padley
“A fight of the year contender”
Josh Padley has outgrown the domestic boxing scene and is heading towards world title status.
That is the view of promoter Eddie Hearn after the South Yorkshire fighter emerged victorious in his European title defence last Saturday at Sheffield Arena.
The Armthorpe man won a split decision verdict over tough super featherweight Aqib Fiaz, from Oldham.
It was an edge-of-the-seat style fight, and justified the Matchroom boss's decision to go ahead with the show after initial headliners Dalton Smith and Galal Yafai had to pull out with injuries.
Steel City's Smith should be back at the same venue in October.
"That's exactly why we kept the fight and the card on" said Hearn, referring to the slug fest fans had watched and that he described as "a fight of the year contender.
"It was a brilliant 12 round championship fight, back and forward.
"He (Padley) is looking to move forward at maybe a shot at a world championship.
"Josh wants to move on to try and get that massive payday in a world championship fight. He's been on an incredible run, since the Shakur Stevenson fight" (February last year.)
Padley is now ranked in the top 15 with three of the four top governing bodies and that should help boxing matchmakers seal a deal at the elite level.
Hearn added: "It's never easy to win a world championship, but he's proved he can box at that level. And once you conquer Europe and you defend your championship, that's where you go. You go to world level.
"So whether it's a championship shot or a big name, that's what we're looking for, for Josh Padley.
"The domestic stuff doesn't really appeal that much anymore. We want to roll the dice and give him those life-changing opportunities."
Padley said he was excited to see what Matchroom can up with.
But he'll need a rest after the draining 12-rounder, which left him with a graze over his left eye.
"I've tried my b******s off for 10 weeks for this. You know, he (Fiaz) has brought everything. More than what I expected him to bring. So, full credit to him and his team. He really brought the fight."