Floyd Schofield Jnr-Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela ordered by WBA

Showing additional teeth after ordering Teofimo Lopez Jnr to fight Jack Catterall instead of Ryan Garcia, the WBA has instructed its new lightweight titleholder Floyd Schofield Jnr to meet his top contender, former 140lbs titlist Jose “Rayo” Valenzuela.

The infrequent enforcement by a sanctioning body regarded as the loosest with its bylaws creates an intriguing match pitting Texas’ young belt holder Schofield, 24, versus the 27-year-old left-hander Valenzuela, 16-3 (10 KOs).

“Rayo wanted this, we wanted this and the sport wanted this. We had to push, and Rayo told me to get aggressive,” Valenzuela manager Rick Mirigian told BoxingScene on Thursday.

“Our lawyer, Nick Perez, did a great job and the WBA is really showing its teeth lately and making things happen that should happen, and I just love it. All boxing needs is to follow its own rules and things will fall into place, and thank you to [WBA President] Gilberto [Mendoza] and the WBA for making this fight happen for the fans and the sport.”

Obviously biased, Mirigian predicted Valenzuela will win the fight in the sixth round.

Interestingly, Valenzuela is promoted by Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, while Schofield, 20-0 (13 KOs), is promoted by White’s bitter rival, Oscar De La Hoya, and Golden Boy Promotions.

“I don't think I will have any issues getting a deal done,” Mirigian said. “I know both sides well and if I can help, I will be there to do so. But I think an intelligent and fair deal will be reached fast. I’m Billy the Kid when it comes to getting a deal done – if it’s a fair one.”

It’s believed the fight will land on DAZN, Golden Boy’s broadcast partner.

The WBA gave the sides 30 days, until December 11, to negotiate an agreement. If that fails, the WBA is armed with the ability to open the bout to a purse bid among all other registered promoters.

The fight must occur no later than February 7, the WBA ruled.

Schofield captured the WBA belt October 10 in Chicago in a disputed unanimous decision victory over Lucas Bahdi. Bahdi appealed that he had scored additional knockdowns beyond the one in the 11th round that counted. The WBA ruled Schofield led sufficiently on the scorecards to remain the winner.

Valenzuela, after winning the WBA lightweight belt over Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz in 2024 and losing it in the next bout versus Gary Antuanne Russell, has fought twice for Zuffa Boxing.

His June 28 knockout of Edwin De Los Santos in a rematch also prompted a protest, with De Los Santos contending he was struck by a punch while downed. The Nevada commission upheld Valenzuela’s victory.