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Josh Padley made a quick and decisive return to form, stopping Jaouad Belmehdi in the second round to capture the vacant EBU European super featherweight title on Friday night at Utilita Arena.
Padley came into the fight as the clear favorite and boxed as well. He set the conditions early with a steady jab and body work that kept Belmehdi out of his favor. Bermehdi landed a right hand in the first round, but Padley absorbed it cleanly and responded by increasing his output from close range.
The second round is over. Padley came in from close range early and landed a clean shot inside, knocking Belmehdi down twice before the referee intervened.
The suspension was uncontroversial. Padley had taken full control of the situation and Bermehdi was no longer able to effectively defend himself.
With the win, Padley improved to 18-1 with six knockouts and won his first major regional title. Prior to that, he lost to Shakur Stevenson in a lightweight bout, followed by wins over Marko Cvetanovic and Reese Belotti. This performance showed that world-class competition has not deterred him.
Belmehdi’s record fell to 23-3-3. Known as an aggressive boxer, he was unable to apply sustained pressure once Padley started attacking inside.
Padley, who has built his career on discipline and consistency rather than flashes of brilliance, is another example of this approach paying off. The title win cemented him at European level. The next step will show whether the position is maintained or moved upwards.
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Last updated on January 31, 2026
