Shakur Stevenson secured a dominant victory over Josh Padley in Saudi Arabia, forcing the British fighter’s corner to throw in the towel after three knockdowns in the ninth round. While Padley won the admiration of fans with his resilience, Stevenson wasted no time in making his next move clear-he wants Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis next.
Padley, who took the fight on just four days’ notice, showed incredible heart, absorbing Stevenson’s precise and powerful shots throughout the bout. The Yorkshire fighter even had moments of success early on, but Stevenson’s speed and accuracy proved too much. In the ninth round, Stevenson dropped Padley with a vicious body shot. Moments later, he landed the same punch twice more, forcing Padley’s corner to intervene.
Despite suffering his first professional loss, Padley’s stock rose with his brave performance. His underdog story, from working as an electrician to facing a world champion on short notice, captivated the boxing world. The 29-year-old may have fallen short in Riyadh, but he walked away with newfound respect and a career-high payday of £500,000.
Stevenson vs. Davis: A fight for legacy
Following his win, Stevenson made it clear that his preferred next opponent is Gervonta Davis. The highly anticipated clash has been discussed for years, but scheduling conflicts and negotiations have delayed the fight. With Davis planning to retire in 2025 after three more fights, time is running out to make it happen.
Davis is set to face Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1 in Brooklyn, while Stevenson has a February 22 bout against Floyd Schofield Jr. If both fighters emerge victorious, pressure will mount for them to finally meet in the ring.
Stevenson dismissed accusations of avoiding Davis, emphasizing that their fight would define both of their legacies. “People act like I need this fight, but honestly, he needs me just as much,” Stevenson told Eze Talks Sports.
Promoter Eddie Hearn remains confident that Stevenson will face two more opponents-potentially Williams Zepeda-before taking on Davis in what he predicts will be one of the biggest fights in the world in 2025.
For now, Stevenson remains focused on the task ahead, but his message is clear: after his next fight, he wants ‘Tank’ Davis in the ring.
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