JOSH PADLEY put on the performance of a lifetime to take pound-for-pound American superstar and three-weight king Shakur Stevenson nine rounds.
The 29-year-old Doncaster electrician was crawling through roofs on Tuesday, installing solar powers for a daily rate.
GettyJosh Padley took on Shaku Stevenson in Riyadh for a world title[/caption]
Fans were quick to notice Padley had some unusual ink
The incredible ink shows Mike Tyson punching Zeus
But, when American Floyd Schofield pulled out of the fight with a mystery illness, the fearless super-sub called his long-suffering boss to book a very short-notice holiday for a shot at the WBC lightweight world title and boxing greatness.
Before the shock call came, Padley had plans to work all week and then spend the weekend doing DIY in his new home.
But instead he made mouthy Stevenson look like a flat-pack bully who needed every ounce of strength and skill to overcome a man who does the sport part-time.
Padley did Yorkshire and the nation proud in the opener, throwing right hands at Stevenson’s toned body and tricking him with clever feints.
The lairy champion grinned when the challenger dared attack him but Padley was utterly fearless.
And it wasn’t long before his remarkable back tattoo caught fans’ attention on the PPV.
The 29-year-old has a bizarre ink featuring legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson.
In the huge tatt, Tyson is seen punching Greek god Zeus square in the face.
One fan gasped: “One thing I can say about Padley so far is that’s a hard-a** tattoo on his back.”
While another said: “That Padley tatt goes hard.”
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Stevenson landed some wicked combinations in the second – just after Padley’s little pocket of fans took over the Riyadh arena with a ‘Padley Wonderland’ chorus.
But the brave Brit ate the shots up and threw back his own, defying all the ratings between them.
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The third was nip and tuck too, right until the final seconds when Stevenson unloaded a volley of expert blows that buzzed the Englishman and buckled his legs, thankfully the bell came right on cue.
Stevenson’s promises of a brief and one-sided beatdown were proven totally empty by the fourth, when Padley again soaked up his best work and tagged him back.
By the fifth Stevenson had to try dirty tricks, slashing a southpaw lead hook at Padley when the ref had ordered them to break.
But Padley was then hurt by a legitimate body punch that robbed him of his lungs but not his heart and he tucked up and slashed back, to hear another bell.
There was a lone and soft female fan in the darkness somewhere shouting “Go on Josh!” all through the sixth, when he needed it most.
Padley was deep under fire and taking a beating but he refused to melt and even backed Stevenson back onto the ropes twice and hurled shots back like a hero.
Stevenson landed a sickening body shot in the seventh, a normal man would have folded in half and taken the payday.
But Padley bit down on his gumshield, sucked in the agony and ended the session hurling shots back as he continued to humble the Floyd Mayweather protege.
This was supposed to be a one-sided massacre but the only thing getting slaughtered was Stevenson’s reputation and standing in the pound-for-pound list.
Padley was simply magnificent and making a mockery of every ranking and rating in the entire convoluted sport.
Padley did take an eight count in the ninth when one body blow too many took its toll.
And he was back on the canvas seconds later when another rib shaker left him gasping.
Shakur got his hat-trick of ninth-round knockdowns right on the bell and the referee stopped the incredible showing of super-human courage from the working-class hero at the right time.
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