Floyd Schofield outpoints Lucas Bahdi to win vacant WBA lightweight title

Floyd Schofield won the vacant WBA lightweight title on Saturday night, outpointing fellow unbeaten Lucas Bahdi at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

The 24-year-old American was 19-0 (13 KOs) going in, and Canada’s Bahdi, 32, was 20-0 (15 KOs). The WBA ordered the fight between its top two available contenders after naming Gervonta Davis champion in recess.

“The top two guys in the division are going to war,” Bahdi said at the pre-fight press conference. “This is always what I’ve seen in myself. I belong here, and I’m going to show the world Saturday.”

Schofield used the same press conference to dedicate the fight to his father. “This fight is for my pops,” he said. He had also said he expected an early finish: “I think I’m going to win by stoppage.”

Instead, Bahdi went the distance. Schofield dropped him in the third round, and Bahdi was credited with a knockdown in the 11th, though replays suggested tangled feet. Schofield’s knee also touched the canvas in the ninth, but no knockdown was called. Schofield moves to 20-0 (13 KOs), while Bahdi falls to 20-1 (15 KOs) after the first defeat of his professional career.

Schofield’s previous outing was a first-round knockout of Tevin Farmer in June 2025 that won him the vacant WBA Continental lightweight title.

No first defense has been announced. Before the fight, Schofield said he wanted the WBC champion next: “Zepeda is the fight I’m looking for next.”