Shakur Stevenson has identified Floyd Schofield as his next opponent for a February 22 title defense of the WBC lightweight belt in Riyadh. While the agreement between the fighters has been struck over social media, there are concerns about whether this is the right matchup for such a high-profile card during the Riyadh Season.
Schofield, 22, is an exciting prospect but far from an established contender. His most recent performance against Rene Tellez Giron raised eyebrows for the wrong reasons. Despite winning by unanimous decision, Schofield struggled significantly, even hitting the canvas in the 11th round. For a fighter as young and inexperienced as Schofield, stepping into the ring with a three-division world champion like Stevenson might be a leap too far.
For Stevenson, this fight is an opportunity to stay active, but fans and insiders alike are questioning whether Schofield brings enough to the table. His lack of name recognition could dampen the appeal of the event, and there’s a risk that his inexperience could result in a one-sided affair. While Schofield’s willingness to step up is commendable, some argue that better options exist.
Watch Stevenson vs. Harutyunyan highlights: Watch
Names like Andy Cruz, Raymond Muratalla, Edwin De Los Santos, or Jose "Rayo" Valenzuela present more competitive and marketable alternatives. Cruz, in particular, brings Olympic pedigree and a style that mirrors Stevenson’s technical brilliance but adds more power and aggression, promising a more compelling contest.
The final hurdle is approval from the event’s influential backers, including Turki Alalshikh, who may question the wisdom of pitting Stevenson against an unproven opponent on such a fight card.
Read more here about Shkaur's career.
Image Credit: DAZN