Schofield Sr. reiterated his stance this week in an interview with MillCity Boxingmaintaining that his son would have beaten Stevenson if the fight had happened. “Floyd would have knocked out Shakur,” Schofield Sr. said. “He has too much pressure. Floyd doesn’t [William] Zepeda.”
Despite renewed pressure from Schofield’s camp, it seems unlikely that Stevenson’s fight will happen in 2026. Stevenson is currently focused on higher-level fights, embarking on what he described as “business” phase of his career. He is scheduled to fight Teofimo Lopez on January 31, 2026 in a major lightweight unification fight, and later also mentioned interest in potential fights with Conor Benn and Lamont Roach.
Meanwhile, Schofield Jr. he continued to build his career. His first-round knockout of Tevin Farmer on June 28 was one of the most eye-catching performances of his career, further elevating his prestige. However, that same result could complicate his chances of fighting Stevenson.
Schofield is a regular on season cards at Riyad, supported by Turki Alalshikh, a position that relies heavily on marketability and dynamism. Schofield is a regular feature in Turki Alalshikh’s season at Riyad, but his position depends on Stevenson’s continued victories.
Losing to a juvenile hitter like Schofield would be a problem, especially if he ended up with the same result as Tevin Farmer. A knockout loss will change the way Stevenson is viewed and could make it easier to replace him on future cards.
That’s the risk. There aren’t many rewards. Schofield is unsafe and developing, so he came in with nothing to lose. For Stevenson, this is a fight that carries real losses without giving much in return.
Schofield senior also hinted at stylistic confidence against Stevenson, dismissing the effectiveness of Stevenson’s defense against shoulder rolls and claiming his son would attack ruthlessly. These comments did little to change the bigger picture.
Even if Stevenson were to consider this matchup, it would likely resemble his movement-based approach against Edwin De Los Santos rather than the immobile exchanges he used against high-pressure fighters like Zepeda.
At this point, there is no reason to believe the fight will ever happen.
“He’s a great fighter. He has everything,” Sulaiman told Ring Champs. “He has all-time potential. He’s a great fighter.”
Sulaiman said Stevenson’s skills have already been proven in multiple leagues, adding that the latest move has only strengthened his standing in the sport.
The comments came when Sulaiman was asked whether Stevenson could finally become boxing’s top pound-for-pound fighter. His answer was direct.
“I think so,” Sulaiman said. “He looks very good and sturdy in this weight class.”
Stevenson’s rise also became a major topic of conversation after the Teofimo fight. Sulaiman said the up-to-date division seemed to suit him physically.
At 28 years elderly, Stevenson is currently at the point in his career where accolades become expectations. Talent alone no longer divides him. The question is whether his upcoming fights match the level people currently see in him.
All the while, Sugar Ray Robinson was moving up from welterweight to middleweight and fighting the toughest monsters of his era without asking them to suck him parched. When you request a hydration clause, as Shakur did with Conor Benn at welterweight, you are essentially saying that you want your opponent to be at his weakest while you are at his best.
Sugar Ray Robinson didn’t ask for a “rehydration clause” during his fight with Jake LaMotta. He just went out and fought a much bigger, stronger man. If Shakur wants to be mentioned in the same breath, he must finally fight a fight in which he will not be the one dictated by physical disabilities.
Robinson didn’t ask for a “rehydration clause” in his fight with Jake LaMotta. He just went out and fought a much bigger, stronger man. If Shakur wants to be mentioned in the same breath, he must finally fight a fight in which he will not be the one dictated by physical disabilities.
Since then, however, the Baltimore man’s life has been extremely hard. A first-time exhibition with YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, scheduled for November, was canceled after Davis found himself at the center of domestic violence allegations.
Further allegations led to “Tank” losing his WBA belt and being declared champion during his hiatus, but earlier this year reports surfaced that he could return against former foe and current WBC interim super lightweight champion Isaac Cruz.
After Ryan Garcia posted, it’s yet another former foe of Davis who is now calling for a rematch social media his intention to secure a second fight.
“I pray I get a tank rematch one day. I need it back on equal footing. I need it!!!”
Garcia suffered a seventh-round loss to Davis when they met in April 2023, but “King Ry” has repeatedly said since the fight that he was far from his best as it was a 136-pound catchweight fight with a 10-pound rehydration clause.
“I think there will be a large split in boxing now,” promoter Matchroom Hearn told the media. “If you go with Zuffa, you’re out of the governing bodies. I think that’s really what it’s going to have to be like.”
Hearn’s comments come at a time when Zuffa Boxing is gaining momentum and gaining attention from fighters and promoters across the sport. The long-term question was whether the events would interact with the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO systems, or go in a different direction.
Hearn explained his position.
“If you sign with Zuffa, you can’t win the world championship,” he said. “You can’t have it both ways.”
He pointed to the recent movement to include titleholders and challengers, arguing that fighters who leave the customary route are giving up some of what boxing has historically valued most.
“Legacy will always be the answer,” Hearn said.
This line leads to a real fight under the headlines. Zuffa can offer money, platform power and stern promotion via TKO. Time-honored boxing still offers belts, rankings and the story behind becoming a champion.
Many competitors will try to secure both if possible. Hearn is doubtful whether the balance can be maintained.
Hearn also criticized recent arguments against the Ali Act and said income transparency remains one of the strongest protections for combatants in the current US system.
Whether fans agree with Hearn or not, he touched on something real. Boxing may be heading down two separate paths, and fighters will soon have to decide which is more vital.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fighting landscape. His reports focus on the most vital fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
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