Matchroom Boxing chairman Eddie Hearn has indicated that a lightweight showdown between Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield could be on the horizon, though he remains uncertain if the matchup will come to fruition.
The potential bout has gained attention since Stevenson, the 27-year-old lightweight titleholder from Newark, New Jersey, started seeking a new opponent after his original challenger, William Zepeda, suffered an injury. Schofield, a 22-year-old undefeated prospect from Jersey City, New Jersey, has publicly expressed his desire to step in, making his case to fight Stevenson on a proposed February 22 card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Hearn acknowledged the interest but stopped short of confirming the fight. “There’s been a lot of back-and-forth, with Schofield and his team keen on this opportunity,” Hearn told Fight Hub TV. “We’ve been in discussions with Golden Boy Promotions, and an offer was made when Stevenson was supposed to fight Zepeda. Unfortunately, Zepeda isn’t ready, leaving Shakur in need of an opponent.”
Schofield, with an unbeaten record of 18-0 (12 KOs), would face a significant step up in competition against Stevenson, who boasts an unblemished 22-0 record with 10 knockouts. Despite Schofield’s inexperience at the championship level, Hearn suggested the financial incentives could make the fight appealing. “At some point, you have to take a big step up, especially when there’s a financial reward on the line,” he added.
Stevenson, originally slated to fight Joe Cordina on October 12 in Riyadh before Cordina suffered a hand injury and canceled the bout, has been exploring various options. While Zepeda, his mandatory challenger, was the preferred opponent, his withdrawal opened the door for Schofield to make his pitch.
Hearn noted that Golden Boy and his team are still discussing the matter but have not reached a final decision. “We’re still crunching the numbers, and there is a chance this fight could happen,” he said. “However, we’ll need another 24 to 48 hours to determine if it’s viable.”
As discussions continue, fans eagerly await confirmation of whether Schofield will get his shot at Stevenson in what would undoubtedly be the biggest fight of his career.
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