- Floyd Schofield missed weight on his first attempt and made 135 pounds on the second, while Lucas Bahdi weighed 134
- The vacant WBA lightweight title is on the line tonight, Saturday, October 10, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, live on DAZN
- I still pick Schofield, but the missed weight moves me from a wide decision to a closer, tougher night
Schofield Misses Weight: What Happened In Chicago
Right then. Let's not beat around the bush. Floyd Schofield did not make the lightweight limit on his first go at the scales on Friday. He came back, made 135 pounds on the second attempt, and Lucas Bahdi was in at 134. The fight is on, the vacant WBA lightweight title is still up for grabs, and tonight it all comes down to what is left in Schofield's tank.
I flagged in our fight week preview that Floyd had to show up. Missing weight at the first time of asking is not the show-up I had in mind. It is a hiccup rather than a disaster, because he got it done inside the allowed window, but it is the kind of detail that gets people talking.
The Rehydration Row
There is a sideshow too. Schofield's side claims Bahdi's camp wanted to push the fight-night rehydration limit up by two pounds, taking it past the agreed 145. Bahdi's team deny it and say they only want Schofield to turn up at the weight everyone signed up for. I will say this: when a row about pounds starts on the eve of a world title fight, someone is already thinking about the scales more than the ring.
Why The Cut Matters
Making weight at the second attempt means a harder final stretch of the cut. Quick hands and fast feet are Schofield's weapons, and dehydration eats at exactly those. If he rehydrates well, none of this matters. If he does not, Bahdi, who is unbeaten at 20-0 with 15 knockouts, can turn this into the scrappy, physical grind I said he needs.
The Belt And The Undercard
The prize is the vacant WBA lightweight title, left open after Gervonta Davis was moved to champion in recess. Schofield sits at 19-0 with 13 knockouts, so someone's unbeaten record goes tonight. On the same card there is a flyweight unification, with Ricardo Sandoval defending his WBA and WBC titles against a late replacement for the injured Oscar Collazo, and that one is worth your time as well.
The Prediction
Make no mistake, this is still Schofield's fight to lose. He is levels above Bahdi when it comes to pure talent, and I back him to box smart, use the jab and find the gaps. But the missed weight changes my scorecard. I now make it a tighter unanimous decision for Schofield, with a nervy middle few rounds before his speed takes over. If he fades after round eight, Bahdi makes it very uncomfortable. If you know, you know: this is exactly how unbeaten prospects get tested.