By all accounts, it seems Floyd Schofield’s opportunity to face off against his former idol won’t come to fruition. Originally slated to compete against Shakur Stevenson this Saturday in Saudi Arabia, Schofield was eager for the matchup. Both undefeated, with Schofield at 18-0 and Stevenson at 22-0, the clash was set to be a 12-rounder for Stevenson’s WBC lightweight title. However, Schofield has had to pull out due to an unspecified illness, landing him in a Saudi hospital via ambulance earlier this week. As of now, updates on Schofield’s health remain under wraps. Despite the setback, the fighter from Texas via New Jersey had expressed his anticipation for this bout, considering the shared history between him and Stevenson.
In a candid chat with talkSport, the 22-year-old Schofield reminisced, “I knew Shakur growing up. I always saw him at amateur fights since he was preparing for the Olympics. He was a bit older, and I’d often take pictures with him.” But Schofield hints that as time went on, their relationship shifted. Now, as Schofield finds himself sidelined, the boxing community is left wondering who would have emerged superior between the two.
Meanwhile, social media is buzzing with claims that Stevenson is being ducked by Schofield. It’s true that, for one reason or another, Stevenson has struggled to secure a major fight within the fiercely competitive lightweight division. Yet, it feels premature to suggest Schofield would deliberately miss such a significant opportunity just days before the fight. Clearly, the stakes are sky-high.
Although the news casts a slight shadow over Saturday’s event in Saudi Arabia, the lineup remains incredibly strong. Besides the anticipated Stevenson matchup, the evening features impressive bouts, including Artur Beterbiev’s rematch against Dmitry Bivol for light heavyweight dominance. Additionally, Joseph Parker is squaring off with Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title in the co-main event. And those are just a few of the highlights.
Whether or not Stevenson ends up on Saturday’s card, the night promises an action-packed lineup of boxing thrills. The potential clash between Stevenson and Schofield would have added a fascinating layer, but the event is set to be memorable regardless.
