Boxers rely on their hands—it’s their livelihood. And no one understands that better than WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. The Newark native is set to clash with fast-rising Jersey City prospect Floyd Schofield Jr. With Stevenson’s WBC title on the line, the two will step into the ring on February 22 as part of a stacked Riyadh Season card.
Ahead of their much-anticipated bout, Stevenson has provided fans with a sigh of relief with an update about his hand injury. If you didn’t know, ‘Sugar’ was supposed to fight Joe Cordina on October 12th on the undercard of Artur Beterbiev vs. Dmitry Bivol. However, due to tears to his sagittal band and collateral ligament, the 27-year-old was forced to pull out of the fight.
Stevenson had to go through surgery on his right hand at the Surgical Center of the Rockies in Colorado Springs. “I am definitely disappointed that I won’t be able to fight on Oct. 12,” Stevenson had told ESPN. “I… was planning to put on a show next month against Joe Cordina. But I have to listen to the doctor and have these injuries fixed immediately so that I can come back stronger than ever at the start of 2025.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JUNE 12: Shakur Stevenson (L) and Jeremiah Nakathila (R) exchange punches during their fight for for the interim junior lightweight championship at Virgin Hotels Las Vegas on June 12, 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Mikey Williams/Top Rank Inc via Getty Images)
It appears Stevenson has received that opportunity to show the world how great he really is, that too on the undercard of Beterbiev vs. Bivol rematch—talk about fate. With the fight weeks away, he appeared in an interview with Matchroom Boxing, with whom he signed a promotional contract not that long ago, sharing a much-needed update about his hand.
“It’s a lot better,” he said when asked about his right hand while he was training. “[I am] able to punch. I am able to whoop a**.” Meanwhile, determined not to cancel the fight this time due to his hand, Stevenson accused Floyd Schofield Jr. of attempting a similar tactic.
Shakur Stevenson jokes about Floyd Schofield Jr. skipping their fight
Last month, Shakur Stevenson took a jab at Floyd Schofield Jr. after his opponent skipped their press conference for their upcoming WBC lightweight title fight on February 22nd. With Schofield absent, Stevenson addressed the media alone and suggested his challenger might be reconsidering his decision.
“Yeah, he’s definitely made a mistake,” Stevenson said. “He’s a good, young fighter, a hungry fighter. I hope he still takes the fight. I was kind of worried because he’s not here.” Furthermore, Stevenson warned Schofield not to back out. “Don’t get butterflies and pull out of the fight, Floyd. I know it’s a hard time, I know you’re dealing with a lot. But just show up.”
That said, it seems nothing is going to stop Shakur Stevenson from getting into the ring with Floyd Schofield Jr. later this month. With his hand healed up, Stevenson is confident he will produce a win. Do you think ‘Kid Austin’ will be a challenge for Stevenson?
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