MAKE no mistake, while Josh Padley knew that he was being brought in as a perceived fall guy for unbeaten Portsmouth banger Mark Chamberlain, the little-known 28-year-old, an electrician by trade, was not coming to the Wembley Edition opener as canon fodder.
Sparking an upset victory, as Chamberlain’s so-called “biggest fan”, Turki Al-Alshikh, watched on, along with a smattering of increasingly stunned punters, the pocket rocket was busy punching upwards in every sense.
Not only was he fighting for future titles and a dose of respect, but this career-best success has seen Padley rocket up the Boxing News UK lightweight rankings from ninth to third.
Now sitting behind Maxi Hughes and Sam Noakes, even though the bout was fought officially at 140, either man’s next move could see a formal inclusion at super-lightweight, such is the complexity of non-title affairs in relation to long-term plans.
Regardless, Padley’s “get in touch” plea to any interested promoters will now surely be answered with a deserved big show payday.
Unfancied by many before his Riyadh Season debut, Padley pushed up comfortably in weight and employed spot-on tactics across 10 rounds to diffuse, bemuse and confuse Chamberlain for long spells of the contest. The Armthorpe man even joked beforehand that he had boxed in venues smaller than the one hosting the pre-fight press conference.
After depositing Chamberlain to the canvas in round eight and benefitting from a point deduction bonus in round nine, Josh secured a unanimous victory and has now made himself a credible player at 140, 135 or even 130.
