JOSH PADLEY is no longer the electrician who went nine rounds with Shakur Stevenson, he is now the European super featherweight champion after knocking out Jaouad Belmehdi.
The Doncaster scrapper looked dialled in from the first bell and his fierce knockout left Belmehdi stuck on the canvas collecting himself for a good few minutes.
Josh Padley looked razor sharp and his opponent couldn’t live with his lightning fast attacksCredit: PA
A stunning finish from Josh Padley ends it in the second round 💥 #MurtazalievKelly | Jan 31 | Live on DAZN ▪️ pic.twitter.com/yQ6EMI4sA6
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) January 31, 2026
Padley opened the contest with two ripping hooks to the body and set about using short, sharp attacks to unsettle Belmehdi.
His French foe was certainly game for the fight and didn’t hesitate to trade with Padley in the pocket.
But the 30-year-old Brit looked sharper early on and in the second round a deliciously crisp uppercut put Belmehdi down for the first time.
As Padley went looking for the finish, he bundled the Frenchman over again, but the referee ruled it wasn’t a knockdown.
Still, Belmehdi had jelly legs and Padley was like a shark who smelt blood.
Moments later, a huge right hand after a series of hooks sent Belmehdi down in a heap and the referee waved it off immediately.
Padley now moves to 18-1 and his only loss came against one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world in Stevenson.
This was the final fight of his three-fight Matchroom contract and surely Eddie Hearn and co. will be inspired to carry on working with him.
Speaking after the fight, Padley was delighted and paid tribute to his relationship with Matchroom.
He said: “Amazing. It’s nearly a year since I lost with Shakur. Matchroom have been on the journey since then. Three fights, three titles. What more can you ask for?”
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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