Two undefeated lightweight contenders will see their perfect records put on the line tonight as Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi clash for the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight title. The 12-round championship bout headlines a Golden Boy Promotions card at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois, broadcast live on DAZN.
Schofield (19-0, 13 KOs), the WBA’s No. 1 contender, and Bahdi (20-0, 15 KOs), the No. 2 contender, are vying for the belt most recently held by Gervonta Davis. The title became available after the organization designated Davis as its “Champion in Recess,” creating a massive opportunity for one of these rising fighters to claim their first world championship.
Path to the WBA World Title
The lightweight division has long been one of boxing’s most glamorous, and this matchup represents a critical step for both men. The WBA ordered this fight between its top two contenders to crown a new champion, adding a layer of legitimacy to the winner’s claim.
The vacancy arose following the sanctioning body’s decision regarding Gervonta Davis, whose future plans remain a topic of discussion after talk of a potential Gervonta Davis comeback fight.
For Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield, this moment has been a long time coming. The 24-year-old from Austin, Texas, is one of the sport’s most highly-regarded prospects, known for his blistering hand speed and aggressive style. His rapid ascent through the ranks, including a devastating first-round knockout of veteran Tevin Farmer in June 2025, cemented his position as a mandatory challenger.
Canadian Lucas “Prince” Bahdi, 32, takes the role of the more experienced, albeit less hyped, fighter. Hailing from Niagara Falls, Ontario, Bahdi has quietly built an impressive resume. His unanimous decision victory over Roger Gutierrez in August 2025 proved he could handle a step up in competition and solidified his claim as a worthy world title challenger.
Tale of the tape and fighter breakdown
This championship bout presents a classic contrast in styles and career trajectories. Schofield, the younger man by eight years, is seen as the fighter with the higher ceiling and more explosive athleticism. Bahdi, conversely, brings physical advantages with a two-inch height and one-inch reach advantage, coupled with more professional rounds under his belt (92 to Schofield’s 78).
Floyd ‘Kid Austin’ Schofield
Ranked No. 7 by The Ring magazine, Schofield has been groomed for stardom by Golden Boy Promotions. His orthodox stance and sharp-shooting style have drawn comparisons to other top talents, but it’s his finishing instinct that sets him apart, boasting a 68% knockout ratio.
This fight is his chance to transition from heralded prospect to world champion, a leap many young fighters strive for as they eye legendary status.
Lucas ‘Prince’ Bahdi
Entering as The Ring’s No. 8 ranked lightweight, Bahdi is the clear underdog but possesses the power to change the fight with one punch. With a 75% knockout ratio, the Canadian is a legitimate threat who has proven his durability.
He will need to leverage his physical advantages, using his reach to keep the faster Schofield at bay and turn the contest into a more grueling affair.
Weigh-in drama precedes main event
The fight was briefly thrown into uncertainty during Friday’s official weigh-in. Schofield initially came in over the 135-pound lightweight limit, tipping the scales at 135.6 pounds. While Bahdi made weight comfortably at 134 pounds, Schofield was given time to shed the excess weight, successfully making 135 pounds on his second attempt.
Any lingering doubts were dispelled on fight day following the WBA’s mandatory second-day weight check. According to reports from Chris Mannix, Schofield weighed in at 143 pounds, while Bahdi was 142.8 pounds. These checks, designed to prevent dangerous weight cuts and rehydration, ensured both fighters were within acceptable limits and that the championship bout would proceed as planned.
The pre-fight betting odds reflect Schofield’s status as a significant favorite. DraftKings Sportsbook listed “Kid Austin” at -1000, while Bahdi stood as a +600 underdog. The odds suggest that experts believe Schofield’s speed and pedigree will be too much for the Canadian, with a knockout victory for Schofield (+110) priced nearly the same as a win by decision (+105).
Stacked undercard supports championship clash
Promoters Golden Boy and Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) have assembled a deep fight card for the Chicago audience. The action, which began with prelims streamed on YouTube, features several title fights and matchups between undefeated prospects, ensuring a full night of meaningful boxing before the main event begins.
The co-main event will see Ricardo Sandoval (27-2, 18 KOs) face Sergio Mendoza (27-1, 23 KOs) for the unified WBA and WBC flyweight titles. This high-stakes bout was initially slated to feature Oscar Collazo, but he was forced to withdraw with a rib injury, opening the door for Mendoza to fight for two belts.
The main card, starting at 8 p.m. ET, also includes an eight-round lightweight bout between Jahmal Harvey (4-0) and Pedro Castaneda (9-1-1). Opening the DAZN broadcast is a 10-round super featherweight contest pitting Jan Paul Rivera (16-0) against Abraham Perfecto (14-2), a fight with stakes similar to the pursuit of a vacant wbo title in another division.
The preliminary card showcased several more undefeated fighters. Cruiserweights Tristan Kalkreuth (17-1) and Ivan Rosado (12-0) met in a 10-round affair. Other notable prelims included heavyweight Joshua Edwards (7-0) against Craig Lewis (15-9-1) and super welterweight Grant Flores (13-0) taking on Mikey Dahlman (19-2).
