Is Golden Boy Setting Floyd Schofield Up to Fail Against Shakur Stevenson?

Floyd Schofield, a 22-year-old boxing prospect, recently took to social media to beg his promoter, Oscar De La Hoya, to set up a fight with WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson in February 2024. While Schofield’s confidence is clear, many in the boxing world believe he’s asking for too much, too soon. Is Golden Boy Promotions rushing Schofield into a fight he’s not ready for? Could they be setting him up for a tough loss?

Is Schofield Ready for a Fight Like This?

At just 22 years old and with a record of 18-0 (12 KOs), Schofield is still developing his skills in professional boxing. He has potential, but calling out a seasoned champion like Stevenson might be premature. Compared to Oscar De La Hoya, who won his first world title in just 12 fights back in 1994, Schofield is not yet at that level of experience. De La Hoya was already ahead of Schofield by the time he was making waves in the sport.

Schofield’s last fight against Rene Tellez Giron highlighted that he’s not ready for elite competition just yet. If Golden Boy pushes Schofield into this fight, it could end up as a mismatch. Stevenson’s defensive skills and technical ability would likely overwhelm the young boxer. Fans would quickly criticize Golden Boy if Schofield suffered a tough loss, which could damage both his career and reputation.

Should Golden Boy Slow Down Schofield’s Rise?

Schofield’s recent challenge to Shakur Stevenson has raised serious concerns about his readiness for a title fight. Rushing Schofield into a world championship fight could be a massive mistake. Other top contenders, like Andy Cruz and Edwin De Los Santos, would likely expose Schofield’s weaknesses, and many believe they would make him look out of his depth.

While Stevenson is known for his defensive style, he is still one of the best lightweights in the world. Schofield might be able to handle Stevenson’s defense better than a more offensive fighter, but he’s still not ready for a world champion. Even Stevenson himself has weighed in, advising Schofield to take the proper steps rather than pleading on social media.

Golden Boy Promotions has a responsibility to carefully manage Schofield’s career. Rushing him into a high-profile fight could hurt his development and derail his potential. Boxing is all about timing, and Schofield’s time to face elite opponents may come eventually, but it’s not now.

In the end, while Schofield’s determination is admirable, Golden Boy needs to focus on his long-term development rather than pushing him into a tough battle too soon. Making smart decisions now could be crucial to his future success in the sport.