On Saturday evening, Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield officially etched his name into the history books by capturing the vacant WBA lightweight world championship, overcoming a determined and heavy-handed Lucas Bahdi in a thrilling, high-stakes encounter. The victory marks a monumental milestone in the young American’s professional career, instantly catapulting him to the forefront of the highly competitive 135-pound division. However, while Schofield was celebrating the crowning achievement of his career inside the ring, pound-for-pound elite operator Shakur Stevenson was watching closely from afar—and he was far from impressed with what he saw.
The championship clash between Schofield and Bahdi had been anticipated by boxing purists for quite some time, with both fighters having had their career momentum temporarily put on ice while waiting for the opportunity to fight for a vacant world title. When the opening bell finally rang, both men showed why they were considered dangerous contenders, though neither escaped the bout without tasting the canvas. The drama intensified early when the Canadian challenger, known for his formidable punching power, fell first under a wave of pressure, being knocked down in the third round.
Despite the early setback and the sheer intensity of Schofield’s offensive output, Bahdi refused to go quietly. The hard-hitting contender turned the momentum around late in the fight, returning the favor in spectacular fashion by flooring Schofield in the eleventh round. The dramatic knockdown injected a fresh layer of tension into an already grueling championship affair, forcing both fighters to dig deep into their physical and mental reserves as the final bell approached.
When the dust finally settled after twelve hard-fought rounds, the judges’ scorecards rendered a fair verdict, awarding Schofield a deserved unanimous decision victory. The win not only handed him the coveted WBA lightweight throne but also announced him as a serious, legitimate player in the talent-stacked 135-pound scene. With a world title now securely around his waist, Schofield immediately positions himself to potentially engage in major unification blockbusters against fellow divisional champions, such as WBC titleholder William Zepeda and WBO kingpin Abdullah Mason, setting the stage for an explosive future at lightweight.
Yet, despite the entertainment value and the competitive nature of the scrap, the performance failed to win over everyone in the boxing community. Shortly after the bout concluded, unified star Shakur Stevenson took to his official social media account on X to share a thoroughly damning assessment of the championship main event. Never one to mince words, Stevenson delivered a brutally dismissive critique of both combatants, labeling the newly crowned world champion as a “C-level fighter” while branding the defeated Bahdi as an “F-level fighter,” sparking immediate debate among fight fans and pundits across the internet.
The scathing remarks from Stevenson add an intriguing layer of personal animosity and unfinished business to an already tense divisional landscape. History shows that Schofield and Stevenson were previously scheduled to lock horns inside the squared circle back in February 2025. However, that high-profile matchup dramatically fell apart during fight week when "Kid Austin" was forced to pull out of the contest at the eleventh hour after suffering a severe health scare that resulted in him being hospitalized. With that grudge match having been stolen from fans previously, Stevenson’s latest remarks suggest that the animosity between the two undefeated or elite-level talents remains entirely unresolved.
Looking ahead, Schofield may well get the opportunity to alter the harsh grading given to him by Stevenson through his future title defenses. Prominent possibilities loom large on the horizon, starting with WBA "champion-in-recess" Gervonta "Tank" Davis. Industry chatter suggests Davis could potentially opt for an immediate title challenge upon his eventual return to active competition, given his contractual ability to step straight into the role of mandatory challenger for the belt if he chooses to exercise that option.
Should the path not lead directly to a showdown with Davis, another formidable challenge awaits the newly minted champion. Former super-lightweight world champion and current WBA #3 contender Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela stands ready as a natural next step for "Kid Austin." However, a potential clash with Valenzuela depends heavily on whether Zuffa Boxing grants permission for the Mexican southpaw to compete for the prestigious belt and face an opponent from outside their rapidly expanding and heavily guarded promotional roster. For now, Floyd Schofield basks in the glory of his championship triumph, carrying the heavyweight burden of a world title alongside the relentless scrutiny of the division’s elite.
