Schofield and Bahdi Fight for Vacant WBA Lightweight Title in Chicago

Two unbeaten lightweights are competing for a vacant world championship as Floyd Schofield faces Canada's Lucas Bahdi at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Saturday, October 10, 2026. The 12-round main event, streamed on DAZN, gives both fighters an opportunity to claim the WBA lightweight title previously held by Gervonta Davis.

According to The Ring, Schofield enters the contest with a 19-0 record, including 13 knockouts, while Bahdi stands at 20-0 with 15 knockouts. Both fighters had been inactive during 2026 before the scheduled matchup, making the championship opportunity particularly significant for their careers.

The contest also brings together representatives of Golden Boy Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions. The Associated Press-style preview published by TSS described the matchup as a meeting between two highly ranked, undefeated contenders, with both promoters seeking to establish their fighter at the top of the division.

Oscar De La Hoya, who leads Golden Boy Promotions, emphasized the importance of bringing major boxing events to Chicago and sustaining the sport's presence in the city.

"We want to make sure boxing is here and stays alive in Chicago," said Oscar De La Hoya of Golden Boy Promotions.

De La Hoya also highlighted the international attention surrounding the event.

"The whole world will be watching Chicago," De La Hoya said.

He characterized the matchup as a contest between leading contenders deserving of a championship opportunity.

"This is number one versus number two in the rankings," De La Hoya said.

He reinforced his position on matching highly ranked fighters against one another.

"The best have to fight the best," De La Hoya said.

Bahdi, fighting under the Most Valuable Promotions banner, earned wider recognition after stopping previously unbeaten prospect Ashton Sylve in the sixth round in July 2024. His power makes him a dangerous opponent for Schofield, who is attempting to convert his potential into a world championship.

"The top two guys in the division are going to war. This is what it's about and I'm ready," Bahdi said.

Schofield also acknowledged the stakes surrounding the championship bout.

"I got a lot riding on this fight," Schofield said.

He expressed respect for his opponent while preparing for the challenge.

"I think Lucas Bahdi is a good fighter," Schofield said.

The Austin, Texas, native is returning after a lengthy interruption to his career. According to The Ring, his previous major victory came in June 2025, when he knocked out former IBF junior lightweight champion Tevin Farmer in the first round in just 1 minute, 18 seconds.

That performance followed a unanimous decision victory over Rene Tellez in November 2024. Schofield was subsequently scheduled to face Shakur Stevenson in February 2025 but withdrew four days before the bout after becoming ill and being hospitalized in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His father and trainer, Floyd Schofield Sr., claimed his son had been poisoned, but The Ring reported that no supporting evidence had been provided.

Schofield said his father would continue speaking publicly while he concentrated on his boxing career.

"My dad gonna promote fights. He gonna say what he gotta say. Ain't nobody gonna do nothing about it, so my dad's gonna keep posting what he posts.

And Saturday, it's just gonna be getting started. My career's just gonna be getting started," Schofield said.

A victory would position Schofield for potential unification fights against WBC lightweight champion William Zepeda or WBO champion Abdullah Mason, according to The Ring. Bahdi, meanwhile, could strengthen his standing in the division by capturing his first world title.

The Chicago card also features Ricardo Sandoval defending his WBC and WBA flyweight championships against Mexico's Sergio Mendoza in a scheduled 12-round bout. Sandoval holds a 27-2 record, while Mendoza enters at 27-1 with 23 knockouts, according to TSS.

Sandoval captured a major championship opportunity after defeating Kenshiro Teraji by split decision in Japan in July 2025. The Chicago contest marks his first defense of the WBC title he won in that fight, according to the published preview.

"I'm very excited to still be fighting in Chicago and to have the opportunity to defend my titles for the first time," Sandoval said.

The undercard also includes lightweight Jahmal Harvey against Pedro Castaneda in an eight-round contest and Jan Paul Rivera against Abraham Perfecto in a 10-round super featherweight bout. Costa Rican minimumweight Naomy Valle, who has a 15-1 record, is scheduled to face Sheyla Moreno, listed at 5-1-1, over eight rounds.

Elsewhere on the October 10 boxing schedule, light heavyweights Samuel Arnold and Charles Shinima headline a separate card at Thunder Studios in Long Beach, California. Arnold enters that matchup at 16-0, while Shinima has a 20-5 record.