WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson says he wants challenger Floyd Schofield to thank him for giving him this opportunity to fight on this card on Saturday night, February 22nd, in Riyadh. Shakur (22-0, 10 KOs) picked ‘Kid Austin’ Schofield, and now he wants him to show gratitude.
Schofield riled Shakur yesterday, saying he’s operating at the mental level of that “7-year-old” child, and he’s developmentally stunted as an adult.
Demanding Gratitude
It’s a twisted, narcissistic power play move on Stevenson’s part, looking to humiliate Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs) to put in the role of a hired servant rather than a fighter that earned his title shot against him. He wants Kid Austin to understand that he’s the boss in this fight and is just there as the B-side opponent, brought in to lose.
If he can get the 22-year-old challenger into the role of being grateful for the opportunity, he can demoralize him to where he won’t fight as hard. It’s sneaky on Shakur’s part, but it also shows how insecure he is going into Saturday’s fight. He’s worried.
Schofield could make Shakur feel sorry for picking him up by knocking him out. He’s a much bigger puncher than most of the limited opposition that Stevenson has fought since he moved up to the 135-lb division in 2023, and he’s got the courage to go after him if he runs.
A Sign of Insecurity?
“I think he’s a little kid, and a little kid will say anything,” said Shakur Stevenson to Matchroom Boxing about challenger Floyd Schofield ahead of their fight this Saturday night in Riyadh. “He don’t really know what’s going on right now. He’s just enjoying being here in this moment.
“He should be saying, ‘Thank you,‘” said Shakur about wanting to put the challenger Schofield in a position of subservience. “I think he’s going to realize that it’s a whole new level of boxing that he has never been on before.”
There’s levels when it’s just you and @ShakurStevenson in the ring 🤷♂️
Floyd Schofield has been warned ⚠️#StevensonSchofield | #RiyadhSeason | #BeterbievBivol2 pic.twitter.com/okxGljXfcF
— Matchroom Boxing (@MatchroomBoxing) February 18, 2025
Last Updated on 02/18/2025
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