So Shakur Stevenson has a new dance partner. What’s surprising is that the matchup has been received with open arms. In Josh Padley, they observe a laudable competition for Stevenson. Someone better than Floyd Schofield, perhaps? Too early to predict. Nevertheless, the unbeaten Englishman seems to enjoy some good standing. He may not be expected to stage a huge upset, especially against someone like Stevenson. But he could offer the challenge that draws the best out of the lightweight champion. In turn, it will elevate his game in the rankings as well.

Following a bout of illness and subsequent hospitalization, the Jersey City-born Schofield had to pull out of the title challenge. Stevenson steps into the ring over six months after he defeated Artem Harutyunyan during the first title defense. Later lineups against Joe Cordina and William Zepeda appeared. However, injuries interfered, preventing either of the fights from making it to the ring. The Newark native is facing an opponent about whom perhaps he barely knows anything. Let’s see what we can find.

Predicting Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley: Who has better stats and record?

Now this one is a no-brainer. With an unbeaten record that saw him defeat some of the most prominent names in lower divisions, in his short seven-year-old career, Shakur Stevenson has already become a three-division world champion. Never known for his punching power, his KO rate has remained at a steady 45%. However, with his sheer technical skills, Stevenson remains the purists’ favorite.

29-year-old Yorkshireman Padley also boasts an unbeaten record. However, in terms of experience and knockout-to-win rate, he may have a lot to catch up on. Marking his professional debut on April 13, 2019, thus far only 4 out of his 15 wins ended in early stoppage, thus rendering a KO rate of 27%.

Stevenson and Padley’s height, weight, reach comparison, and more

Perhaps it’s the first time that serious boxing fans might have come across Josh Padley’s name. Given that most of his fights remained out of the spotlight, basic details such as his height and reach remain unavailable. For Shakur Stevenson, the information is well documented. Standing 5 feet and 8 inches or 173 centimeters tall, he has a 68-inch or 173-centimeter reach.

On July 6 last year, when he faced Harutyunyan, Stevenson recorded a final weight of 134.1 pounds. On the other hand, when he fought Mark Chamberlain on the Joshua-Dubois September 21 card, Josh Padley tipped the scale at 139.6 pounds.

Prediction

With nearly -2000 odds projecting him to retain the WBC lightweight title, Shakur Stevenson remains the overwhelming favorite to win tomorrow night. For Josh Padley, a +1000 underdog, it’s a daunting task ahead.

Had it been some other ranked contender, perhaps his chances would have improved. It was an exceptional performance he delivered against Chamberlain. But it’s Shakur Stevenson that he’s going to fight. More so, Padley is not a fighter of Zepeda’s mold who would opt for a full-throttle attack to confuse Stevenson.

Fans are going to witness a technical back-and-forth tomorrow. Brief, sharp exchanges, movements across the ring, one short skirmish, and a pattern will follow. However, with better connection and impenetrable defense, Shakur Stevenson will foil any game plan that Josh Padley and his team might have come up with in such a short duration.

Our prediction: Shakur Stevenson winning by a clear decision.

Do you think organizers could have reached out to higher-ranked contenders?