JOSH Padley sees the fight with Mark Chamberlain as the opportunity of a lifetime after starting out in diminutive arenas and without any major promotional support.
“It’s something you almost dream about and it’s obviously the ultimate goal for every boxer, to get to this stage,” explains Padley, reflecting on the transition from fighting in the Elland Road banqueting hall to Wembley Stadium.
“It makes all the tough work you put in over the years worthwhile. When you get shows like this, it’s what you work for, so you have to go for it.
“Going into diminutive indoor shows, you don’t always have a choice of certain journeymen who have better records. Of course, you’re tied to ticket sales, so you can’t always afford to have journeymen with 50-50 records or journeymen with winning records to get your rank there.
“You have to adjust to what you can afford in terms of tickets, so it’s a bit of a different path for someone like Mark’s opponents. He could probably afford better journeymen than I could.”
Padley is well aware of the scenario and the task ahead of him, as his opponent is supported by the chairman of the Saudi General Entertainment Authority, Turki Alalshikh.
Chamberlain has been given the chance to fight for two more times during the season in Riyadh, and Turki Alalshikh admitted that he is one of his favorite fighters to watch.
Padley, however, is unfazed by this and feels it is his job to destroy the script.
“I mean, it’s up for grabs,” he adds. “Of course, if someone favors someone and you can come in there and ruin it, that makes it look even better on my behalf. So that’s what I go there for.”
As a clear underdog with odds of 8/1, Padley knows what he believes in be the reason for this.
“The bookmakers will go for the guy they’ve seen the most,” says the Doncaster lightweight.
“Obviously, Mark’s been on these huge shows before and there’s a lot of content about Mark and he’s got a lot of non-fights. They’re going to go with the information that’s in front of them. A couple of my buddies had a couple of bets, so we’ll find out on fight night whether the bookies got it right or not.”
asks Padley about the speed with which the fight was proposed and accepted.
“At first it was proposed to me [the fight] “the day before the press conference,” he said answers.
“There was no preparation or anything like that. There was no inkling that we might get an offer. It was a last-minute offer and a last-minute decision. I didn’t have time to think about it because the opportunity was obviously an opportunity. I didn’t need much convincing.”
Taking fights on brief notice is no unknown territory for Padley. Tardy last year, he boxed twice within eight days of each other, taking his last fight on brief notice.
“A week before the boxing fight at Elland Road we got a call asking if we wanted to come to Malta and fight some unknown kid,” he explains.
“We didn’t really know much about him, he was unbeaten at the time, but I liked the opportunity and it made sense to do something. I knew the opposition at Elland Road weren’t at my level, so I thought why not. I thought I’d have two fights in two weeks, so for me it was a no-brainer.”
refers to the recent announcement of increased capacity at Wembley on September 21st and mentions that the event is set to break records for the largest attendance at a boxing event in British history.
“It’s great to be part of a historic boxing event in the UK,” he adds. “When you go and look for the events that actually happened at Wembley, of course, it’s a very select few.
So my name will be part of that very select few that have the chance to box at Wembley. That was a major turning point for me to be a part of that event and to get on a show of that size.”
“I’m using this fight to get the exposure that my career has been lacking. Like you said, I’ve been in diminutive arenas, which are tough to break through. This is my breakthrough moment. I’ve got to go out there and put my best foot forward tonight and do what I have to do.”
mentions sharing the event with music icon Liam Gallagher and rumours circulating that his brother Noel may be in attendance at the show.
“There were rumours on Twitter, but nothing like that,” laughs Padley. “It would be nice, wouldn’t it? They’ve made up now and I know there are pictures of them from back then, with people like Ricky Hatton and the two of them in the ring and stuff like that. It would fit in quite well with the event.”
“The season cards in Riyadh are not just boxing shows. They are a real event with performances and all the biggest names and of course all the biggest stars. They are “turning it into a real, unique opportunity every time.”
When asked if the show was going for quality or quantity, considering there will be six fights, Padley revealed a noteworthy update on his fight.
“I think I’m the first one on the card,” he explains. “It was originally supposed to be for the WBC silver title. Maybe I’m giving you a little bit of exclusivity here. Obviously the fight changed and I had to move up in weight, which wasn’t the most ideal thing, but obviously I don’t want to miss out on that opportunity because they’re not coming too often. So the fight will now be scheduled for the super lightweight division.
“I’m not too concerned about that. I’ve got to go in there and do the job to the best of my ability and do the job that I have to do, which is beat Mark Chamberlain. I’ll do whatever it takes. Obviously I’d like it to be for the belt, but that’s not my decision.”
MMA6 months ago
Interviews1 month ago
Interviews1 month ago
MMA6 months ago
MMA6 months ago
Boxing4 months ago
Interviews6 months ago
Opinions & Features2 months ago
The Real Person!
Author tube.kakoc.com/sexy5732894311 acts as a real person and passed all tests against spambots. Anti-Spam by CleanTalk.
September 12, 2024 at 5:21 pm
At thiis tkme I amm goinmg away too do my breakfast, whhen havihg myy breakfadt
coming yeet again too read furthher news.