Shakur Stevenson has had a hectic 24 hours.
The WBC lightweight champion was set to defend his title against Floyd Schofield in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this weekend, but those plans changed on Tuesday when Schofield fell ill and was pulled from the bout by the British Boxing Board of Control.
Instead, Stevenson will now take on undefeated Brit Josh Padley, who has stepped in on short notice following his impressive victory over Mark Chamberlain in September.
Stevenson has now reacted to how things have unfolded this week, telling The Ring that he felt Schofield never intended on going ahead with the fight.
“I already predicted he wasn’t going to fight me. When I seen that kid on fight week he was like a lost little kid. He don’t know no better.
“He’s not got any real guidance. His dad tries to guide him but he ain’t got no real guidance. Honestly I thought there was no way that anybody would put that little kid in eight ounce gloves in the ring with me. I didn’t see that happening.”
Stevenson then praised Padley for taking the fight on short notice.
“Josh Padley has stepped in so you have to respect the guy that has stepped in with this short amount of time. Hopefully he comes in and does his best but I’m in the zone so there ain’t no taking me out of it.”
Stevenson is a heavy favourite for the fight against Padley, with boxing fans hoping a win could lead to a potential unification clash with Gervonta Davis later in the year.
