Floyd Schofield Wins WBA Lightweight Title Against Lucas Bahdi

Floyd Schofield claimed the vacant WBA lightweight championship after defeating Lucas Bahdi by unanimous decision at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on October 10, 2026. According to DAZN's fight report, the undefeated American won on scores of 119-108, 116-110 and 115-111 after a demanding 12-round contest that featured knockdowns and several momentum shifts. The victory improved Schofield's professional record to 20-0, including 13 knockouts, while Bahdi suffered the first defeat of his career after entering the bout with a 20-0 record and 15 knockouts.

The championship opportunity headlined a card co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions, according to Sports Illustrated. Schofield established early pressure in the third round, landing an overhand right to Bahdi's temple before following with combinations and additional right hands. DAZN reported that one of those attacks sent Bahdi partly through the ropes, resulting in a knockdown call.

Bahdi recovered and remained competitive, landing a harder hook during an exchange late in the fourth round. The Canadian also produced a major momentum shift near the end of the sixth, connecting with a clean right hand that left Schofield visibly shaken as he returned to his corner.

Schofield regained control through improved movement and jabbing in the ninth and 10th rounds, according to DAZN. Bahdi scored another knockdown in the 11th after landing an overhand right as Schofield's foot was stepped on, leaving the outcome in doubt heading into the final round. Both fighters had opportunities in the 12th, but neither appeared to establish decisive control before the final bell. The judges ultimately favored Schofield, with the widest scorecard giving him an 11-point margin.

Speaking to DAZN's Chris Mannix after the fight, Schofield acknowledged the danger posed by his opponent. "Lucas is a hard puncher. I'm not gunna lie," Schofield told DAZN's Chris Mannix.

The win followed a lengthy absence from competition. Schofield had not fought since June 2025, when he stopped former world champion Tevin Farmer in 78 seconds, according to Sports Illustrated and The Sporting Tribune. The 24-year-old previously withdrew from a scheduled February 2025 challenge against Shakur Stevenson after being hospitalized with an illness.

He also survived a knockdown against Rene Tellez Giron in November 2024 before earning a unanimous decision in his first 12-round fight, according to The Sporting Tribune. Bahdi, a 32-year-old from Niagara Falls, Ontario, entered the title bout best known for knocking out Ashton Sylve in the sixth round in July 2024. His three subsequent victories over Armando Casamonica, Ryan James Racaza and former world champion Roger Gutierrez all went the distance, The Sporting Tribune reported.

Before the fight, the vacant title bout also drew attention because of a dispute over the fighters' weight arrangements. The Sporting Tribune reported that Schofield initially missed the limit at Friday's weigh-in before registering 135 pounds on his second attempt, while Bahdi weighed 134 pounds.

The same report described conflicting claims over a proposed change to the rehydration limit, which governed how much weight the fighters could regain before the bout. Schofield's camp raised concerns about a possible adjustment, while Bahdi's representatives denied seeking a last-minute increase to the agreed fight-night limit of 145 pounds. Golden Boy founder Oscar De La Hoya had publicly backed Schofield before the contest and described the matchup as a test between two undefeated fighters.

According to The Sporting Tribune, Schofield's victory also made him the 40th world champion produced by Golden Boy Promotions. After securing the belt, Schofield declined to name an immediate opponent, telling DAZN he wanted to enjoy the victory and celebrate the holiday season. The championship win gives the 24-year-old his first world title after 20 professional fights.

The Chicago card also featured a unified flyweight championship bout, with Ricardo Sandoval defending his WBC and WBA titles against Sergio Mendoza after Oscar Collazo withdrew with a rib injury, according to The Sporting Tribune.