Floyd Schofield Out of Shakur Stevenson Battle

By: Sean Crose

It seems Floyd Schofield gained’t get an opportunity to finest the person he as soon as appeared as much as. The 18-0 Schofield was set to face 22-0 Shakur Stevenson, a fighter he as soon as idolized, this Saturday in Saudi Arabia. A scheduled 12 rounder for Stevenson’s WBC light-weight title remains to be prone to go on, however Schofield has needed to step away as a result of an undisclosed illness. Apparently he was taken by ambulance to a Saudi hospital on Monday. As of press time, Schofield’s present situation has not been reported. Evidently, the New Jersey – by the use of Texas – native had made it clear he was desperate to throw down with Stevenson within the ring. The 2 males, in spite of everything, have a historical past.

“I knew Shakur rising up,” the 22 12 months previous instructed talkSport, “I at all times used to see him on the newbie fights as a result of he was about to get able to go to the Olympics…he was a bit of older than me. I’d at all times take photos with him and whatnot.” If Schofield is to believed, nevertheless, issues modified as time moved on. With Schofield now having fallen in poor health, the combat world might be left ready to see who’s the higher man.

With that being stated, social media is presently popping that Stevenson has been averted by Schofield. And, true sufficient, Stevenson – for no matter purpose – has not been in a position to land an enormous combat in one of many hottest divisions in boxing. Nonetheless, it appears a bit rash to imagine Schofield would deliberately duck a serious combat simply days earlier than the opening bell is sounded. There’s simply an excessive amount of at stake.

Though Monday’s developments put one thing of a damper on Saturday’s card in Saudi Arabia, it isn’t a lot of a damper, as the cardboard is without doubt one of the finest in latest historical past. Except for Stevenson, who might very nicely nonetheless be combating, the schedule is full of excessive finish matchings. Artur Beterbiev might be rematching Dmitry Bivol for mild heavyweight supremacy in the principle occasion. On prime of that, Joseph Parker might be going through Daniel Dubois for the IBF heavyweight title within the co-main. And that’s simply two of the bouts on the agenda.

With or with out Stevenson-Schofield, Saturday must be a terrific day of boxing. It could have been good to see Stevenson and Schofield sq. off, although. It could have been an attention-grabbing addition to a really attention-grabbing occasion.