By: Sean Crose
It seems Floyd Schofield received’t get an opportunity to finest the person he as soon as seemed 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 continues to be more likely to go on, however Schofield has needed to step away on account 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. For sure, the New Jersey – by the use of Texas – native had made it clear he was wanting to throw down with Stevenson within the ring. The 2 males, in any case, have a historical past.
“I knew Shakur rising up,” the 22 yr previous instructed talkSport, “I at all times used to see him on the novice fights as a result of he was about to get able to go to the Olympics…he was a bit older than me. I might 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 sick, the struggle world might be left ready to see who’s the higher man.
With that being mentioned, social media is at the moment popping that Stevenson has been prevented by Schofield. And, true sufficient, Stevenson – for no matter purpose – has not been in a position to land a giant struggle in one of many hottest divisions in boxing. Nonetheless, it appears a bit rash to imagine Schofield would deliberately duck a serious struggle 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 current historical past. Other than Stevenson, who might very properly nonetheless be combating, the schedule is filled with excessive finish matchings. Artur Beterbiev might be rematching Dmitry Bivol for mild heavyweight supremacy in the principle occasion. On high 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 needs to be a terrific day of boxing. It might have been good to see Stevenson and Schofield sq. off, although. It might have been an attention-grabbing addition to a really attention-grabbing occasion.
