Floyd Schofield officially stamped his name among the elite of the lightweight division on Saturday night, capturing the WBA world title previously held by Gervonta "Tank" Davis. In an electrifying showdown at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Schofield outfought a resilient and dangerous Lucas Bahdi to secure a unanimous decision victory. The triumph capped off a dramatic path to the championship that saw the 24-year-old forced to earn his belt the hard way after a mandated title opportunity against Davis failed to materialize.
The judges scored the bout 116-110, 119-108, and 115-111 in favor of Schofield, reflecting a competitive yet decisive victory. With the win, the hard-hitting American phenom improved his pristine professional record to 20-0, maintaining his undefeated status while collecting his 13th career knockout along the way—though this time, he had to go the full 12-round distance. On the other side, the Jake Paul-backed Bahdi suffered the first defeat of his professional career, dropping to 20-1 with 15 stoppages. The high-stakes event, promoted jointly by Golden Boy Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions, was broadcast live around the world on DAZN.
The road to Saturday night’s championship clash had been winding and contentious. Back in May, the World Boxing Association officially ordered a mandatory title defense, instructing both camps to negotiate a bout between Davis and Schofield. The governing body granted a standard 30-day window for the two American fighters to reach an agreement. However, "Tank" Davis showed little to no interest in squaring off against his mandatory challenger, instead setting his sights on more lucrative, high-profile blockbuster opportunities elsewhere in the sport. As the weeks ticked away, the deadline passed without either side penning a deal.
Faced with a stalled division and uncertainty surrounding his ability to defend the strap, the WBA took decisive action in June. Davis was designated as champion in recess amid ongoing legal situations and career ambiguity, opening the door for the vacant championship to be contested. Schofield, unwilling to wait idly on the sidelines for a fight that may never have materialized, readily shifted his focus toward an explosive matchup with Bahdi.
Before shifting entirely to the championship picture, Davis had also been heavily linked to a proposed mega-fight against internet star-turned-promoter Jake Paul, with circulating reports pegging the potential purse at a staggering $20 million. Ultimately, that spectacle fell apart as well. While Davis continues to plot his eventual return to the ring, a showdown with the newly crowned Schofield does not appear to be part of his immediate plans, leaving the division open for a fresh era.
Schofield Overcomes Bahdi Scare
The championship clash in Chicago delivered plenty of drama from the opening bell. Schofield wasted no time asserting his dominance, making a distinctly strong start in the opening frames. His speed, timing, and ring generalship paid dividends in the third round, where he uncorked a sharp, disruptive combination that sent Bahdi crashing to the canvas. The knockdown established a significant early lead for the young challenger, providing a crucial cushion that ultimately carried him toward the championship finish line.
Despite tasting the canvas and falling behind on the scorecards, the Canadian contender refused to fade away. Bahdi dug deep, leaning on his renowned punching power to continually test Schofield as the bout progressed into the championship rounds. The pressure intensified down the stretch, culminating in a chaotic sequence in the 11th round where Bahdi was officially credited with a knockdown, though ringside replays suggested the incident may have largely been the result of an accidental trip.
Earlier in the contest, another moment of panic rippled through the arena in the ninth round when Schofield took a knee following a sharp exchange. However, the referee ruled that the sequence did not constitute a knockdown, allowing the fight to continue without a point deduction. Ultimately, neither late-fight scare was enough to alter the final outcome. Schofield had built a substantial enough advantage in the early and middle rounds to secure a comfortable, if hard-fought, decision victory across all three judges’ scorecards.
Schofield Admits Bahdi’s Power
Reflecting on the grueling 12-round battle after the dust had settled, Schofield candidly admitted that he had slightly underestimated Bahdi’s heavy hands, even though he fully expected a difficult and punishing test. The undefeated prospect noted that despite facing dangerous opponents throughout his ascent, the Canadian’s raw power caught him by surprise inside the squared circle.
"I knew Bahdi was tough, I knew it was going to be a hard fight," Schofield acknowledged during his post-fight remarks. "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 new champion also revealed a moment of internal conflict during the heat of battle. After being tagged cleanly by Bahdi, Schofield confessed that his initial instinct was to abandon strategy and immediately seek retribution. However, the maturity that comes with fighting for a world championship quickly took over, reminding him of what truly mattered under the bright lights of the Wintrust Arena.
"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," he shared.
Schofield was quick to credit his corner and, in particular, his father, for helping him maintain his composure when Bahdi threatened to turn the momentum of the fight in the later stages. Knowing when to weather the storm and stick to the game plan proved to be the difference between victory and defeat.
"I had to listen to my dad and buckle up," Schofield added.
What began as a mandated championship opportunity against Gervonta Davis ultimately transformed into a grueling 12-round war of attrition against Lucas Bahdi. Yet, by persevering through adversity and stamping his authority on the canvas, Schofield ensured that there would be no asterisks next to his status as a world champion. With "Tank" pursuing alternative paths outside the title picture, the lightweight division officially turns the page, welcoming a fresh, battle-tested WBA champion who earned his belt the hard way—inside the ring.
