Floyd Schofield calls out modern boxing: ‘Nobody really wants to do any fighting’

One of the biggest criticisms in boxing is that the best fights are not made often enough, and when they do, it’s often when one or both are past their prime. Unbeaten lightweight contender Floyd Schofield has spoken to Fight Hub TV, discussing fighters that avoid facing their toughest challenges, while explaining his views on why he believes this happens.

Floyd Schofield set to challenge for WBA lightweight crown

Schofield (19-0, 13 KOs) is getting ready to face Lucas Bahdi (20-0, 15 KOs) for the WBA lightweight world title, once held by Gervonta Davis, who was stripped recently due to external issues resulting in prolonged inactivity. These two contenders will face off on October 10 at the Wintrust Arena, Chicago, live on DAZN.

Schofield takes aim at fellow fighters

Discussing fighters not wanting to face tough opponents, Floyd Schofield said:

“They’re not even fighting each other. We’ve seen Shakur, or it was a rumour that he was trying to fight Pacquiao. That was a rumour, but then we’ve seen Gary Antuanne Russell just turn down the Shakur fight, and then you have Keyshawn turning down Devin Haney. 

“It’s like nobody really wants to do any fighting, and if we’re being for real, the only one who’s actually fighting people is Ryan (Garcia). I believe you can say Devin, too. People like Isaac Cruz- those are people actually fighting, and I feel like that old-school boxing needs to come back.”

Expanding on why he thinks some fighters are not keen on facing the best opposition, Schofield said:

“I definitely think some of it has to do with the purse, because I feel like if a lot of these fighters are going to take a risk, they want as much money as they can. And then on top of that, I think people just wanna keep that 0. Floyd Mayweather made it seem like if you have a 0, then you’re the perfect boxer, and that’s not true.

“I’m pretty sure a lot of these fans would like to have the 70s and 80s back. I also think that they’re liking that fighter spirit.”

The Big Fight Weekend verdict

It’s almost impossible to disagree with Floyd Schofield’s assessment. Despite the involvement of Turki Alalshikh, it does feel that certain fights have slipped through the net or are yet to happen. It’s clear that some feel protecting their 0 will lead to bigger paydays, but in reality we are being robbed of some potentially brilliant fights, and this happens no less so than in the featherweight division.

At 126 lbs, we have Brandon Figueroa as the WBA champ, Bruce Carrington the WBC belt, while Angelo Leo is the IBF and Rafael Espinoza the WBO champion. These four should be targeting unification bouts, but it doesn’t feel like any of these are close to facing each other, while three of the four are fairly inactive, although with fights scheduled.

It’s not only at 126 lbs, but this avoidance is also present throughout the sport, and the desire to face each other has to come primarily from the fighters themselves.

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Featured Image Credit:

Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy Promotions