Floyd Schofield claimed the WBA lightweight title previously held by Gervonta Davis on Saturday night, delivering a resilient performance to defeat Lucas Bahdi at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago. The championship opportunity materialized after Tank Davis’s proposed mandatory defense against his fellow American failed to materialize, paving the way for a high-stakes clash in the Windy City.
Schofield had to overcome a late knockdown and a determined opponent to secure his first world championship. The 24-year-old rising star earned a hard-fought unanimous decision from the ringside judges, who turned in scores of 116-110, 119-108, and 115-111 in his favor.
With this milestone victory, Schofield extended his unblemished professional record to 20-0, featuring 13 victories inside the distance. Meanwhile, the Jake Paul-backed Bahdi suffered the first defeat of his professional career, falling to 20-1 with 15 knockouts following a valiant effort on the big stage.
The road to the Wintrust Arena was complicated and politically charged within the lightweight division. Schofield had originally been placed in line to challenge Davis after the WBA officially ordered the championship fight in May, granting both promotional camps a strict 30-day window to reach a mutual agreement. However, Tank showed little interest in squaring off against his mandatory challenger, instead setting his sights on more lucrative, high-profile opportunities elsewhere. As the weeks ticked away, the deadline passed without a fight being agreed upon by the two camps.
In June, amid ongoing legal situations and growing uncertainty regarding his ability or willingness to defend the championship, the WBA moved Davis to champion in recess. This administrative decision left the division moving forward and allowed Schofield to pivot toward pursuing the newly vacant belt against Bahdi, a dangerous challenger supported by Most Valuable Promotions.
Before the bout with Bahdi came together, Davis had also been heavily linked to a proposed mega-fight against internet personality-turned-boxer Jake Paul, a contest reported to be worth a staggering $20 million. However, that high-profile cross-over matchup ultimately fell apart behind the scenes. While Davis is currently plotting his eventual return to the ring, a future fight with the newly crowned Schofield does not appear to be part of his immediate plans, leaving the division’s new king to carve out his own path.
Schofield Overcomes Bahdi Scare
The championship clash in Chicago delivered plenty of drama from the opening bell. Schofield made a remarkably strong start, utilizing his speed and sharp combinations to dictate the tempo. In the third round, he caught Bahdi clean and sent the Canadian to the canvas, establishing a commanding early lead that would ultimately carry him through the rough patches later in the fight.
Despite the early setback and facing an elite prospect in his prime, Bahdi refused to go away quietly. The Canadian contender adjusted his strategy and continued to test Schofield with his heavy punching power as the championship rounds progressed, turning what looked to be a comfortable night into a tense battle of attrition.
The tension reached a boiling point in the championship rounds. Bahdi was officially credited with a knockdown in the 11th round, although television replays and ringside observers noted that the incident appeared to involve a tangle of legs and a slip rather than a clean scoring blow. Earlier in the contest, Schofield had also taken a knee following a sharp punch in the ninth round, though the referee chose not to rule it an official knockdown.
Ultimately, neither controversial incident altered the final outcome of the fight. Schofield had already built up a substantial enough advantage during the first half of the bout to secure a clear-cut decision on all three official scorecards, cementing his status as the new world champion.
Schofield Admits Bahdi’s Power
Speaking to reporters after the grueling 12-round encounter, Schofield candidly admitted that he had somewhat underestimated Bahdi’s concussive punching power, despite knowing fully well that the Canadian would provide a stern and difficult test.
"I knew Bahdi was tough, I knew it was going to be a hard fight," Schofield reflected during his post-fight media obligations. "He’s never been knocked down in his career, he’s fought powerful punchers. I didn’t expect him to have as much power as he did."
The young American also revealed that his natural fighting instincts had temporarily tempted him to immediately retaliate after being caught with heavy shots, but his competitive maturity ultimately won out over his pride. He recognized that securing the world title was far more important than engaging in a reckless brawl to settle a momentary score.
"I was kinda sleeping on his power so he caught me – once he caught me I wanted to get it back, but I thought to myself what was more important… showing I have an ego or going for the World Title," Schofield said.
The newly minted champion was quick to credit his father and cornermen for helping him maintain his tactical composure when Bahdi threatened to turn the momentum of the fight in the later stages. "I had to listen to my dad and buckle up," he added.
Schofield had initially been ordered to challenge Davis for the championship crown, but instead was forced to endure 12 grueling rounds against a formidable opponent in Lucas Bahdi to finally get his hands on the coveted belt. With Tank continuing to pursue alternative career opportunities outside of the immediate mandatory picture, the lightweight division now boasts a fresh, active Waba champion who earned his status the hard way—inside the squared circle.
The high-stakes championship event, a collaborative promotion presented by Golden Boy Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions, was broadcast live around the world on DAZN, marking another significant chapter in the ongoing narrative of the 135-pound division.
