20 hours Ago By Wally Downes Jr
SUPER-SUB Josh Padley has answered another DIY SOS by ditching his tools and racing out to Riyadh for a world title shot.The Doncaster spark had a few weeks notice when he starred on the undercard of Daniel Dubois’ iconic Wembley win over Anthony Joshua in September, with a shock win over Mark Chamberlain.GettyJosh Padley is set to fight Shakur Stevenson for a world title on Saturday[/caption]Josh PadleyPadley was initially due to work over the weekend[/caption]He was living with his nan at the time, while renovating his new home, when a phone call on a run to the local dump changed his life forever.
But he’s topped that Herculean effort by taking on a tougher opponent, with three days notice, 4,000miles from his new homeHe jetted into Riyadh on Wednesday – for a crack at America’s pound-for-pound superstar, three-weight king and reigning WBC lightweight boss Shakur Stevenson – with a matter of hours to prepare.The fearless electrician took the call, made the check weight, booked his flight and is now looking for his very own Buster Douglas moment – with his 16-1 odds criminally low for a longshot that would stun boxing for centuries.He explained: “I was scheduled to work all week and then, at the weekend, I would have been doing little bits and pieces around the house.
“The work there is still ongoing but we’re in there now and living there. Upstairs is a bit of a building site but we’re in there.“Nan is missing me, she keeps ringing to ask why I haven’t been around as much.
“As soon as the call came in, late on Tuesday night, we got on the phone to my nutritionist, to make sure we can do the weight safely.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS“We made the check weight at 1pm and set off for Manchester airport at 1.30pm, the flights weren’t even booked until the check weight was done.
“I texted my boss – because I had two jobs booked in for Wednesday -he rang me and I said ‘it’s happened again mate!’ “My friend, who I work with, is also on a plane to Riyadh so there are two of us not at work.“Our gaffer wasn’t best pleased but he’s a boxing fan and said if it was my best mate I’d be going as well.”Making the 9st 9lbs limit in a flash is a tough enough task on its own.
But the luxury flight the Donny ace was rushed onto made the weight cut even harder.“I flew business class,” he grinned. “A recliner seat and stuff like that, never done it before.
“But the worst thing is, with the strict weight cut, they handed us a nice menu and everyone’s ordering from it.“All the drinks came over but I couldn’t have any. Everyone was asking why I was refusing it all.
“Everyone else around me was ordering nice food but I had my bottle of water and two yoghurts.”Douglas was a 42-1 underdog when he flew to Tokyo to stun Mike Tyson in 1990.The shock remains the benchmark for any sporting upset and Padley has no problem being the rank underdog in a two-horse race.
“It’s a big task at hand,” the working-class hero said. “A three-weight world champion on three days’ notice.“But I have totally dedicated myself to it for 15 years – even with a full-time job.
“It would be unreal, it would be talked about worldwide for years.”But when would he be back on site – if he does the impossible?He signed off: “My return-to-work date is undetermined at the minute!”.
