Schofield Denies Ducking Shakur After Recent Hospitalization

Floyd Schofield denies ducking Shakur Stevenson after he pulled out of their clash, which was set for February 22.

Schofield was scheduled to face Stevenson on the Artur Beterbiev vs. Dimitry Bivol card. He arrived into the fight with an undefeated 18-0 record. The 22-year-old had the opportunity to win his first world title by securing Shakur’s WBC Lightweight Belt. He was confident heading into the fight, with some believing that his physicality could pose Shakur a problem. However, he pulled out of the fight at the last minute due to an illness. He was later pictured in hospital after suggestions that he was looking for a way out. 

Shakur Reacts

“I’m actually scared. Like I’m actually scared that they not gonna show up to the fight. And I’m gonna go put in all of this [work]. All of this work I’m puttin’ in right now, I just feel like they lookin’ for an excuse, like they lookin’ for a way out,” Shakur said 

“I seen him he was definitely scared. He’s a punk. It’s been fun. I love the show I love everything about this. I’m still on the card, the show must go on, I’m ready to put on a show. I’m in shape. They could have said [Vasiliy] Lomachenko let’s fight, I’d have said let’s do it. “I’m going to be at my best to beat anybody. I’m the best in boxing and I’m going to show it on Saturday night,” Shakur added 

Daniel Dubois also pulled out of his fight against Joseph Parker on the same card. Once again, it was due to a medical issue, as the Riyadh card saw two fights break down. Shakur ultimately ended up facing Josh Padley, whom he defeated via a ninth-round stoppage to retain his title. Although Shakur got the win, he was suffering from hand issues in the fight, suggesting that Schofield may have missed an opportunity to capitalize on a chance to get a win.

Schofield Reacts

There is no guarantee that he will get this fight again moving forward. Eddie Hearn confirmed that Shakur’s main focus is to secure a fight against Gervonta Davis. Tank boxes Lamont Roach Jr. on March 1 in a defense of his WBA Lightweight Belt. He knows a victory will increase the calls on him to face Shakur, meaning Schofield goes down the pecking order. 

Schofield also missed out on the biggest paycheck of his life since he would have been compensated handsomely by fighting in Saudi Arabia. But he has no regrets over his decision, stating that it was not a duck as he was simply not capable of going ahead with the fight.“

“Realistically, who spends time away from their family, their son, the biggest opportunity in their life, and their biggest paycheck & just decides to duck out of the fight? I know y’all watched the fight [Stevenson vs. Joshua Padley]; y’all saw it was nothing to duck,” Schofield said 

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