Boxing Match Preview: Josh Padley (17-1-0, 5 KOs) vs. Jaouad Belmehdi (16-1-3, 7 KOs)
British super featherweight contender Josh Padley (17-1-0, 5 KOs) faces French-Moroccan veteran Jaouad “Le Bombardier Marocain” Belmehdi (16-1-3, 7 KOs) in a 12-round bout for the vacant European super featherweight title. Padley, a 27-year-old from Armthorpe, Yorkshire, aims to capture his first major professional belt with his sharp counterpunching and technical prowess, while the 32-year-old Belmehdi looks to leverage his power and experience to pull off an upset. This undercard clash on the Bakhram Murtazaliev vs. Josh Kelly event could be a tactical affair, with Padley’s movement testing Belmehdi’s aggressive style in what promises to be a competitive European title showdown at 130 pounds.
Venue Location
The fight will be held at Utilita Arena in Newcastle, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom. This 11,000-capacity venue is a staple for UK boxing events, known for its vibrant atmosphere during domestic and European title fights.
Ring walks are scheduled for 6:00 PM GMT (1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT). Ring walks for Padley vs. Belmehdi are estimated around 9:00 PM GMT (4:00 PM ET / 1:00 PM PT), broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and US.
Injury Report
No injuries have been reported for either fighter leading into the bout. Both completed full training camps without disruptions, and recent previews confirm no setbacks or health concerns.
Josh Padley:
No reported issues; fully focused on preparation for his European title shot.
Jaouad Belmehdi:
No injuries mentioned; coming off a quick TKO win with no lingering effects.
Fighter Matchups
This super featherweight title fight contrasts Padley’s technical counterpunching with Belmehdi’s aggressive, power-oriented style, setting up an intriguing battle at 130 pounds.
Josh Padley (5’9″, orthodox): A sharp counter-puncher who excels at pivoting off the centerline, creating angles, and avoiding direct exchanges. His style is made for exploiting aggressive opponents, with good footwork and precision. However, he can be a stationary target if pressured, and his lower KO rate suggests reliance on points rather than one-punch power.
Jaouad Belmehdi (5’10”, orthodox): Nicknamed “Le Bombardier Marocain,” he brings forward pressure, body work, and higher knockout power, often overwhelming with volume. His style suits direct confrontations, but he can be exposed to counters due to linear movement and lack of angles.
Key Stylistic Clash: Padley’s counterpunching and mobility vs. Belmehdi’s aggression and power. Padley may look to frustrate with angles, while Belmehdi aims to close distance for inside work.
Strengths/Weaknesses: Padley’s technical edge and recent form give him an advantage in a chess match, but Belmehdi’s durability (never stopped) and KO threat could exploit any lapses. The height/reach similarity favors a close-range war.
X-Factor: Padley’s home-country advantage in Newcastle could boost his performance, but Belmehdi’s experience in tough losses (e.g., against Xu Can) might help him endure.
Recent Form
Padley enters with momentum from a strong 2025, while Belmehdi rebounds from a high-profile loss but shows finishing ability.
Josh Padley (Last 5: W-W-W-W-L):
October 2025: UD 10 vs. Reece Bellotti (successful super featherweight debut, outpointed a tough opponent).
Earlier 2025: TKO 5, KO 9, UD 10 in a minor setback recovery phase.
Form Notes: Padley has fought 114 pro rounds, with a 29% KO rate, focusing on decisions and technical dominance in recent wins.
Jaouad Belmehdi (Last 5: L-W-D-W-TKO):
August 2025: UD 12 loss vs. Xu Can (outpointed in a title challenge but showed resilience over distance).
Earlier 2025: TKO 1 in a quick rebound.
Form Notes: Belmehdi has fought 103-154 pro rounds (sources vary), with a 44-48% KO rate, mixing decisions and stoppages but struggling against elite technicians.
| Fighter | Last 5 Record | KO % (Career) | Avg. Rounds Last 5 | Key Stat |
| Josh Padley | W-W-W-W-L | 29% | 8.5 | Technical counterpuncher |
| Jaouad Belmehdi | L-W-D-W-W | 44% | 7.0 | Aggressive power puncher |
Fight History
This is the first meeting between Padley and Belmehdi, with no prior head-to-head encounters. Both have built their records in the European circuit without overlapping opponents, making this a fresh matchup for the vacant European title.
FIGHT ODDS
Josh Padley – 500
Jaouad Belmehdi + 375
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Friday, January 30, 2025
