Floyd Schofield has withdrawn from his scheduled WBC lightweight title bout against Shakur Stevenson this Saturday in Riyadh due to illness, leaving Team Stevenson scrambling for a last-minute substitute.
So, Shakur now has another opponent, as part-time electrician Josh Padley is suddenly on the cusp of a dream opportunity. Just six months ago, he was a relative unknown who upset Mark Chamberlain in a 10-rounder at Wembley. Now, with Floyd Schofield out due to illness, Padley is set to step in against unbeaten Shakur Stevenson.
Padley’s rise underscores how quickly fortunes can change in boxing. Initially, he had been looking at a fight in Sheffield this April, but within hours, he got the call to replace Schofield, who was deemed unfit by British Boxing Board doctors. Schofield is reportedly out of the hospital and recovering, but it was too late for him to remain on the card.
Many saw trouble brewing from the start, as Schofield, unbeaten but untested at this level, was chosen based more on his social media hype than any proven track record.
Still, Stevenson remains confident, saying he’s ready to prove he’s “one of the best fighters in the sport,” and that fans will see his star power on February 22.
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