Floyd Schofield Withdraws from Title Fight Due to Illness

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Floyd Schofield has withdrawn from his scheduled fight against lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson due to an illness, his promoters at Golden Boy confirmed. The bout for the WBC title was set to take place this Saturday but has been thrown into disarray following Schofield’s sudden hospitalization.

The 22-year-old American was taken ill earlier this week, prompting the British Boxing Board of Control to pull him from the high-profile matchup. Schofield’s health status remains uncertain as he awaits medical test results but has since been released from the hospital.

“We confirm that Floyd has been released from the hospital,” a Golden Boy representative said. “His health is the priority right now.”

In light of Schofield’s withdrawal, British lightweight Josh Padley has been announced as his replacement on just three days’ notice. Padley, who boasts an undefeated record of 15-0 with four knockouts, is making a significant leap up in competition. He secured a career-best win against Mark Chamberlain in September 2024, winning by unanimous decision.

Despite the intense rivalry and anticipation surrounding the bout, Schofield’s illness severed his chance to challenge the undefeated Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs) at a pivotal moment in his career. Schofield had expressed confidence about his upcoming title shot and hoped to make a name for himself in the lightweight division.

In a series of cryptic posts on social media, Schofield hinted at deeper issues at play, stating, “People are going to feel dumb when they see the proof. People fear Floyd and this just made him more focused. Karma is very real.”

With Schofield out, Stevenson finds himself in a difficult position. This fight was crucial for his efforts to reestablish himself as one of the sport’s elite following a couple of lackluster performances. Now, he is left scrambling for a replacement opponent.

The Ring has reported that Moussa Gholam (22-1, 13 KOs) and Padley are among the potential candidates to step in against Stevenson this weekend.

Stevenson has been preparing heavily for the fight, hoping that a victory over Schofield could solidify his status in the boxing hierarchy. The circumstances surrounding Schofield’s withdrawal have led to speculation and rumors, with accusations of foul play surfacing on social media.

Schofield’s father has publicly suggested potential foul play, claiming that his son was spiked. “This isn’t something to take lightly,” a source close to Schofield’s family stated. “They spiked your son.” However, Schofield himself dismissed any allegations that his illness was the result of sabotage.

Stevenson, meanwhile, has firmly denied any wrongdoing, with his manager, Josh Dubin, warning Schofield’s family about potential defamation claims. “Saying these things that slander Shakur does not come without legal consequences,” Dubin told BoxingScene. “He should get advised on the defamation laws in our country.”

While the immediate future of the WBC title fight remains uncertain, the boxing world watches closely for developments as Stevenson seeks a new opponent ahead of the Riyadh Season event.