Floyd Schofield WDs from Shakur Stevenson bout with illness – report

Floyd Schofield has withdrawn from his fight against lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson with illness, Ring Magazine has reported.

Schofield was set to challenge Stevenson for the WBC title in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Saturday ahead of Daniel Dubois‘ heavyweight clash with Joseph Parker and the eagerly anticipated rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol, but the 22-year-old American was reportedly taken ill on Tuesday.

A new opponent is being sought for Stevenson on Saturday. Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs), did not appear at Tuesday’s grand arrivals ceremony in Riyadh, but was present on Monday at the media day.

Ring Magazine has reported British lightweight Josh Padley is a potential option for a late replacement, as is Moroccan Moussa Gholam.

There had been a tense build up between Schofield and Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs), who have shared sparring rounds in the past.

A cryptic message was posted on Schofield’s X account on Wednesday morning, saying: “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 … All things will be revealed in time.”

Another post said: “I won’t say his name but their team need to be banned from the sport. I can see why people duck him, because the bull that comes with this team.”

Further posts on Schofield’s Instagram account appeared to show him in hospital.

Source: espn.com