Boxing
Road to Sheffield: How did Josh Padley reach European defence against Aqib Fiaz?
Padley vs. Fiaz on DAZN subscription - TONIGHT
Josh Padley mounts the first defence of his European super-featherweight crown against Aqib Fiaz this weekend in Sheffield.
The star, who shot to international recognition after his late-notice bout with Shakur Stevenson, has been cresting a wave since.
He will now hope to defend the EBU strap he earned in his last outing, but opponent Fiaz will be determined to dethrone him too.
But just how did they come to this match-up? DAZN News explores the last five fights for each man and how they fared.
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Josh Padley (18-1)
- Age: 30
- Fights: 19
- Last five: WLWWW
One of the sport's great stories in recent years, Padley was an electrician whose stock appeared to have peaked against Mark Chamberlain.
But his win over the former contender saw him thrown in with Stevenson at short-notice in early 2025, ultimately being stopped in the ninth.
His performance earned bouts against Marko Cvetanovic and Reece Bellotti however, before he won his EBU crown over Jaouad Belmehdi.
Aqib Fiaz (14-1)
- Age: 26
- Fights: 15
- Last five: WWLWW
Four years younger than his foe, and out to bring his reign to a shuddering halt, Fiaz is building an impressive head of steam up once again.
His 2023 wins over Dean Dodge and Costin Ion booked him a shot at the vacant Commonwealth title, only for Bellotti to hand him a major loss.
Fiaz spent 2024 out of the ring, but returned last year in two arena shows in Manchester, scoring wins over Lydon Chircop and Alex Murphy.
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