Floyd Schofield has withdrawn from his fight against lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson after being hospitalised with an illness, his promoters Golden Boy have confirmed.
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 taken ill on Tuesday and now awaits the results of medical tests after the British Boxing Board of Control pulled him from the fight.
Golden Boy confirmed that Schofield has been released from hospital, while British lightweight Josh Padley has been confirmed as a late replacement.
Padley (15-0, 4KOs) boarded a flight to Riyadh on Wednesday after receiving the late call up.
The 29-year-old from Yorkshire earned a career best victory against Mark Chamberlain in September, winning unanimously on points. Padley will now step up to the top level on just three days notice and fight for the world title.
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