Beterbiev vs. Bivol 2: Stevenson-Schofield Bout Scrapped, Shakur Stevenson Now Faces Josh Padley

In a disappointing turn of events for boxing fans, the highly anticipated lightweight clash between Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield has been removed from the undercard of the Beterbiev-Bivol 2 event. The bout, which was set to be a significant draw on the June 1 card at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, fell through due to an illness affecting Schofield.

The news broke on Tuesday, leaving promoters scrambling to salvage what was shaping up to be one of the most exciting undercards of the year. Stevenson, the undefeated former two-division world champion, was looking to continue his ascent in the lightweight division against the promising young contender Schofield. However, fate had other plans.

The Ring has learned that WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson is hunting for a late replacement. Floyd Schofield has fallen ill, and was pulled from the fight by the British Boxing Board of Control.

According to a source, two of the options being considered include Moussa… pic.twitter.com/O9jmfGGAkr

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 18, 2025

Schofield’s Illness Derails Potential Lightweight Classic

Floyd Schofield, the 21-year-old rising star with a perfect 16-0 record, has been forced to withdraw from the bout due to an undisclosed illness. The nature and severity of Schofield’s condition have not been revealed, but it was significant enough to prevent him from competing in what would have been the biggest fight of his young career.

🚨 Floyd Schofield Jr. did not show up to the grand arrivals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His trainer and father, Floyd Sr. claims that Jr. was poisoned by SNAC and Shakur Stevenson’s masseuse. Schofield is scheduled to face Stevenson on Saturday. #BrunchBoxing #StevensonSchofield… pic.twitter.com/6ZCB9oMpU7

— Brunch Boxing (@BrunchBoxing) February 18, 2025

This setback is particularly frustrating for Schofield, who was poised to make a major statement against one of boxing’s most skilled technicians. A victory over Stevenson would have catapulted Schofield into the upper echelons of the lightweight division and potentially set him up for a world title shot in the near future.

For Stevenson (21-0, 10 KOs), this cancellation represents another bump in the road as he seeks to establish himself as a dominant force at 135 pounds. The Newark native has been vocal about his desire to face the top names in the division, including undisputed champion Devin Haney. This fight against Schofield was seen as a perfect opportunity for Stevenson to showcase his skills on a global stage and make his case for bigger fights down the line.

Shakur Stevenson vs. Josh Padley

In a stunning turn of events, British lightweight Josh Padley has stepped up to face boxing sensation Shakur Stevenson this Saturday on the star-studded Bivol vs Beterbiev 2 undercard in Saudi Arabia. The last-minute replacement comes after Floyd Schofield was forced to withdraw due to illness, leaving promoters scrambling to salvage the highly anticipated bout.

🥊 ANNOUNCED: Shakur Stevenson will now face Josh Padley this Saturday in Riyadh following Floyd Schofield being ruled out due to illness. pic.twitter.com/RfKqpm3PHo

— Ring Magazine (@ringmagazine) February 19, 2025

Padley, an undefeated 29-year-old from Doncaster, Yorkshire, brings a perfect 15-0 record to the table. The Yorkshireman is riding high off a significant upset victory over Mark Chamberlain last September at Wembley Stadium, but now faces the toughest test of his career against the elite American champion.

Stevenson, considered one of boxing’s pound-for-pound best, will be defending his WBC lightweight title. Despite the short notice, Padley has expressed his readiness to seize this golden opportunity. The British fighter, known as “Paddy,” will be taking a massive step up in competition, but his recent performances suggest he’s prepared for the challenge.

This unexpected matchup adds another layer of intrigue to an already stacked card featuring the light heavyweight unification rematch between Artur Beterbiev and Dmitry Bivol.