Boxing

Lucas Bahdi vs. Floyd Schofield: Can Bahdi Shock Another Hyped Prospect?

Published

3 weeks ago

October 9, 2026

"Lucas Bahdi vs. Floyd Schofield: Can Bahdi Shock Another Hyped Prospect?"

Schofield vs Bahdi: Recent Form

Floyd Schofield has never lost as a pro, never been challenged too much in a given fight, and he’s still just 24 years old. All sounds good. And then you realize this is just his second fight in the last 23 months, and you start to wonder if maybe something is askew. Or I start to, anyway.

Schofield (19-0, 13 KO) has talent and ability, that’s unquestionable. Every time we’ve seen him, he’s done the job at hand in fashion somewhere between strong and dominant. He did get knocked down in November 2024 by Rene Tellez Giron, who was probably his best opponent, even if Tevin Farmer has more faded name value. But that fight with Tellez Giron is pretty easily the toughest Schofield has had, and while he maybe didn’t blow people away that night, he still won clearly.

Last time out, he blitzed an aged version of Tevin Farmer in 78 seconds. I maintain that this was impressive to see; Farmer may be older, but he’s not an incompetent. He was coming off of three losses, yes — one to Raymond Muratalla and two to William Zepeda. Pretty good fighters! All of them went the distance. He gave Zepeda serious trouble twice.

The physical tools are there. The question has been more about mindset and management. Those things can only be answered by time and going further up the ladder. For now, Floyd Schofield is a very talented young fighter who passes the eye test.

Lucas Bahdi (20-0, 15 KO) met up with someone who matches that description in July 2024, when he was brought in by Jake Paul’s Most Valuable Promotions to face their most valuable prospect, Ashton “H2O” Sylve. Sylve was 20, had dominated his first 11 fights, had all the confidence in the world, still feeling untouchable in the ring.

For five rounds, he dominated the 30-year-old Bahdi. Then Bahdi knocked him out. Since then, Sylve’s career has retreated into near-obscurity, while Bahdi has won three more fights, beating two unbeaten guys who weren’t serious prospects and then veteran Roger Gutierrez. The win over Sylve was a system shock, and got him in the door with MVP, and it has brought him today to this world title fight.

The talent advantage, pure ability, lies with Schofield. The experience is with Bahdi.

Schofield vs Bahdi: Style Matchup

I’m genuinely happy for Lucas Bahdi. He flipped the script, kept plugging away, and now finds himself with an opportunity he’d never have dreamed of had MVP not tried to feed him to Ashton Sylve. MVP likewise deserves props for rewarding his derailing of their plans and maneuvering him into this position. Hopefully they can content themselves with the journey and come to terms with an unsatisfying destination.

Bahdi’s not a bad fighter, to be clear, and his victory over Sylve wasn’t a fluke. He had the right tools for the job and found his moment to use them. I just can’t see him testing anything of Schofield’s besides “Kid Austin’s” maturity.

Facing a massive disparity in speed, footwork, and combination punching, Bahdi’s only real chance lies in his solid counters, which do admittedly mesh well with Schofield’s most notable flaw: overaggressiveness. Schofield isn’t as defensively lackadaisical with his two-fisted rushes as, say, Anthony Cacace and can get away with a lot thanks to his athleticism, but he commits fully to his attacks in a way that could open him up to well-timed return fire. On top of that, he’s got a real chip on his shoulder, electing to trade heat with Rene Tellez Giron after getting floored. It’s not totally outside the realm of possibility that Bahdi clips Schofield on the way in and then lights him up as they slug it out.

It’s pretty close to outside, though. I really can’t emphasize that speed advantage enough, and beyond that, Schofield’s jab and switch-hitting prowess will make it profoundly difficult for Bahdi to find his timing. Heck, the feather-fisted Armando Casamonica kept Bahdi buttoned up for long stretches of their fight with meat-and-potatoes volume punching. With such tight windows of opportunity and such low output in general, the odds of Bahdi finding the money shot are mighty slim. Provided Schofield keeps his head on straight and doesn’t sell out for a quick finish, exposing his chin in the process, it’s his fight to lose.

Schofield vs Bahdi Predictions: Who wins?

Scott: Some people seem to regret getting excited about prospects who lose a fight “ahead of schedule,” like it has brought shame to their house or something. I don’t. I’m excited about Schofield as a talent, but I am admittedly less sure about a lot of other things. Still, in the ring, Bahdi is a clear underdog and will probably have to rely on Schofield making a critical mistake, and then Bahdi has to actually capitalize on it. That part is harder than people make out; even if the opening is there, you get split seconds to take them most of the time. I don’t think Schofield will put the rush on Bahdi like he did Farmer, whatever limitations Bahdi may have, and while he’s not exactly a massive KO artist — the guy is a much bigger puncher than Farmer. Schofield’s speed, athleticism, and power should see him out comfortably, and I think we see a stoppage in the last third. Floyd Schofield by TKO in Round 9

Patrick: I’m not sure this metaphor really fits considering I don’t rank Bahdi much higher than Rene Tellez Giron and Tevin Farmer, if at all, but I sort of see this as a final exam for Schofield before properly surmounting the world stage. If he applies everything he’s learned and everything he’s capable of, he should win easily; all he has to do is work the jab, vary his offense, and control his momentum so that he can slip back out of range before Bahdi can fire back. If he gets conceited and chases the knockout, Bahdi has what it takes to teach him a very memorable lesson. Unfortunately for “Prince,” there’s just way too much going Schofield’s way to entertain that possibility. Bahdi would just barely have a puncher’s chance against the laziest Schofield we’ve seen to date, and even with a long layoff to overcome, that torching of Farmer suggests Bahdi won’t be that lucky. Floyd Schofield by Unanimous Decision

Boxing

Vergil Ortiz Jr. Missed Out on $16M Fight Against Ennis, Claims Father

Published

4 hours ago

October 29, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Vergil Ortiz Jr. Missed Out on $16M Fight Against Ennis, Claims Father"

Vergil Ortiz Jr. missed out on a massive payday north of 16 million dollars after a clash with Jaron Ennis got shut down, according to his father. That turns the scheduled meeting with Keith Thurman into an expensive consolation prize instead of the marquee event everyone wanted.

Ortiz Sr. claimed Ennis sat right at the top of the list in his son’s settlement agreement, while Thurman occupied the very bottom. That perspective reshapes how people view Vergil’s matchmaking, raising questions about whether promotional politics killed the premier matchup.

“I don’t know how much I can say legal-wise… but Vergil was offered a lot of money, a lot more money, and it could even be north of that,” Ortiz Sr. said in an interview with Stephen Gorder at K.O Artist Sports, responding to a question about a $16 million Ennis offer.

Ortiz Sr. pointed directly to a deliberate choice to shut the bout down, though he never named the specific person responsible. He guessed that financial motives got in the way because outside parties stood to miss out on the revenue.

The distinction is crucial. Ortiz Sr. insists the bout got blocked, yet his reasoning remains purely speculative. He also emphasized that he never handles Vergil’s actual contract negotiations.

Ortiz Sr. outlined the settlement ranking as Ennis first, followed by Sebastian Fundora, Tim Tszyu, Erislandy Lara, with Thurman bringing up the rear. Nobody produced the actual document during the interview to verify the claims.

If that order holds true, Thurman was simply the final name left on the board once preferred options fell through. It clarifies how the matchup came together, even if it does little to satisfy fans eager to see Ennis in the opposite corner.

Walking away from that level of cash puts real weight behind the father’s frustration. Vergil missed the chance at a massive purse against an elite rival. Now he steps into the middleweight division against a veteran who offers very little upside, even in victory.

Tyson Fury Documentary Premieres on Netflix Just Before Joshua Fight

Published

13 hours ago

October 29, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Tyson Fury Documentary Premieres on Netflix Just Before Joshua Fight"

Netflix releases TYSON FURY on November 27, tracing the heavyweight’s rise through boxing and examining his personal struggles before he faces Anthony Joshua on December 11.

Lucy Wilcox directs the feature-length documentary. Fury, his wife Paris and father John give interviews alongside previously unseen footage from his life and career.

Tyson Fury’s Career and Family Life

The film follows Fury from childhood into the heavyweight ranks, revisiting the victories and setbacks that shaped his career. His family contributes its accounts of the experiences behind those performances.

Mental health, addiction and the loss of a child are among the subjects covered. The documentary also examines Fury’s views on masculinity, his family relationships and the support he has relied on throughout his career.

Paris and John bring their perspectives to a film that explores the personal pressures accompanying Fury’s success in the ring.

Fury vs Joshua: December 11 Date and Netflix Broadcast

Fury and Joshua step into opposite corners on Friday, December 11, 2026, at Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales. Netflix will broadcast their first professional meeting globally to all members at no additional cost.

The remaining bouts have yet to be announced.

At their September 30 press conference, Fury spoke about the years spent waiting to get Joshua into the ring.

“I’m looking forward to the challenge. It’s been 10 years in the making,” Fury said.

“The rise has been phenomenal from both fighters. We’ve both had our ups and downs. Finally, we arrive at this moment.”

Fury also praised his British rival: “He’s been a role model and a poster boy for British boxing for years.”

Joshua welcomed the occasion and said their exchanges would drive him through extra rounds in the gym.

“I feel fresh. I feel very excited about this opportunity to work again,” Joshua said.

Boxing

Jake Paul Confirms December 24 Dubai Fight, Ending Retirement Speculations

Published

13 hours ago

October 29, 2026

The Punch Junkie™ News

"Jake Paul Confirms December 24 Dubai Fight, Ending Retirement Speculations"

MVP chief Nakisa Bidarian addresses questions over Paul’s boxing future following the Anthony Joshua injury, with a Christmas Eve comeback confirmed.

Jake Paul will fight again after the broken jaw he suffered against Anthony Joshua raised doubts about his boxing future. MVP has confirmed a December 24, 2026, comeback in Dubaiand promoter Nakisa Bidarian says Paul’s decision answers those who questioned his desire to return.

The opponent remains unconfirmed.

Bidarian put the injury and its aftermath at the centre of his comments about Paul’s first fight back.

“Twelve months ago he suffered a double broken jaw against a two-time heavyweight world champion and since then many have doubted his desire or need to return to boxing,” the MVP co-founder and CEO said.

“Well he is back, and that tells you everything about the competitor Jake Paul is and how much he loves this sport.”

Paul Answers With a Christmas Eve Comeback

Paul heads into his return with a 12-2 record and seven knockouts. His December 2025 meeting with Joshua preceded the year-long absence that will end when he headlines MVP’s card in the United Arab Emirates.

He has committed to another fight.

“I’m hungrier than ever, and on Thursday, December 24, I’m returning to the ring in Dubai to start the next chapter of my journey,” Paul said.

The comeback will also take Paul into a new location for his professional career. He has never contested a professional bout in Dubai, which will host the event through MVP’s cooperation agreement with the Dubai Sports Council and Dubai’s Department of Economy and Tourism.

MVP has not yet named the opponent, venue or broadcaster. The promotion plans to release further details over the coming weeks, with no weight division or scheduled distance specified in the October 29 announcement.

Paul began his professional career in 2020. His headline appearances have since included Mike Tyson in November 2024 and Joshua the following December, with the latter leaving him facing a lengthy spell outside the ring.

Bidarian described the decision to resume fighting as evidence of Paul’s commitment to boxing. Paul, meanwhile, closed his comeback statement with a prediction for whoever signs to face him.

“Merry Christmas, Dubai. Santa Paul is coming to town, and somebody’s getting knocked out.”

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