ROTHERHAM, England — The brisk, businesslike way Josh Padley spoke when previewing how Saturday's matchup against Reece Bellotti compares to his Mark Chamberlain upset last September sent a message.

He's there to do a job this weekend, justifying the sacrifices that have consumed his newfound full-time grind with the sport and more importantly, look better than ever while doing it.

"People saw what I can do against the likes of Chamberlain, he [Reece Bellotti] doesn't bring anything like Mark did, dropping down favours me more and that's what people are picking up on," Padley said during their face-off segment Thursday.

"Reece is tried and tested, been around and fought some great guys down there, the best way to kick my career off at junior lightweight is to stop and make a good performance of him."

Their 10-round junior lightweight contest for the WBA International title will feature third from top of the show preceding Dave Allen-Arslanbek Makhmudov as part of Matchroom's Sheffield bill, streamed worldwide on DAZN.

When those quotes were reinforced in conversation with Bellotti afterwards, the 34-year-old wasn't convinced.

"I think weight plays a big factor in all fights. Josh is a lot more comfortable at 140 than Chamberlain was at the time," he told The Ring.

"He performed really well and deserved to win no doubt, then obviously the Shakur Stevenson fight - who wouldn't take that - I wanted him to win as a fellow Brit. Outside of those two though, his opponents haven't been anywhere near mine and that will play a big factor on Saturday."

Portsmouth southpaw Chamberlain (17-1-1, 12 KOs) was making his 140-pound debut that night at Wembley and has grown into the weight class, evidenced by his 12-round majority draw with British and Commonwealth champion Jack Rafferty in August.

Padley had campaigned at the weight longer and received the Stevenson seal of approval on social media after his Cvetanovic stoppage in April, with many believing he's a justified 1/4 (-400) favourite on Saturday. Things could've been very different though.

Just eight months ago, Bellotti (20-6, 15 KOs) still reigned supreme as the British and Commonwealth junior lightweight champion, defending his titles with a bruising stoppage of Michael Gomez Jr after nine rounds in Manchester.

The following week, Padley was the sport's feel-good story on short-notice as he pitched a spirited effort in defeat by WBC lightweight beltholder Shakur Stevenson - his corner waving the white flag, also after nine rounds.

The dynamic has shifted and Bellotti (20-6, 15 KOs) is now a sizeable underdog again, being priced at 17/4 (+425) with most oddsmakers.

Is that because this encounter comes just 11 weeks after he was comfortably outboxed and eventually stopped in the 12th round of a Queensberry headliner against 'fringe world-level' foe Ryan Garner?

"I got the phone call [for this fight] two days later, have never said no to a fight and they asked about my interest, absolutely," Bellotti said. "I know it was a close defeat in terms of timings but not a problem, I prefer being consistent, get back in the gym and be active again."

"It's his first time making junior lightweight, you always have that thought process in your head wondering how you're going to be and he'll have to fight those demons on fight night. It's not like he's up against a poor junior lightweight, facing a former British and Commonwealth champion and in for a tough night, he'll learn that."

Bellotti was asked about whether he would retire with a defeat this weekend, having openly contemplated his future during post-fight interviews in Bournemouth three months ago.

"I'll always love this sport, never lose that love but if I don't beat Padley, I won't get to where I want to. I believe I'm better than him and will prove it Saturday night, everyone will soon see," he added.