Josh Padley made a fast and decisive return to form with a second-round stoppage of Jaouad Belmehdi to claim the vacant EBU European super featherweight title on Friday night at Utilita Arena.
Padley entered the fight as a clear favourite and boxed like it. He set the terms early with a steady jab and body work, keeping Belmehdi from settling into his preferred rhythm. Belmehdi landed a right hand in the first round, but Padley absorbed it cleanly and responded by increasing his output at close range.
The second round ended the contest. Padley closed distance early, landed clean shots inside, and dropped Belmehdi twice before the referee stepped in.
The stoppage came without controversy. Padley had taken full control, and Belmehdi was no longer able to defend himself effectively.
With the win, Padley improved to 18-1 with six knockouts and secured his first major regional title. It followed a late-notice defeat to Shakur Stevenson at lightweight and subsequent rebuilding wins over Marko Cvetanovic and Reece Bellotti. The performance suggested those rounds at world level had not set him back.
Belmehdi dropped to 23-3-3. Known as an aggressive boxer-puncher, he was unable to apply sustained pressure once Padley began working inside.
Padley has built his career on discipline and consistency rather than flash, and this was another example of that approach paying off. The title win places him firmly at European level. The next step will show whether that position holds or shifts upward.
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Last Updated on 01/31/2026
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