Schofield vs Bahdi: First Lightweight WBA Title Duel, Sandoval Risks Belt in Chicago
Baca dalam 60 detik
- Floyd Schofield dan Lucas Bahdi mempertaruhkan rekor tak terkalahkan dalam perebutan sabuk juara dunia WBA kelas ringan pada 10 Oktober di Chicago.
- Ricardo Sandoval akhirnya melakukan defense perdana gelar WBA dan WBC setelah calon lawan sebelumnya, Oscar Collazo, mundur karena cedera tulang rusuk.
- Kerja sama Golden Boy, MVP, dan Movember menghadirkan inisiatif kesehatan pria melalui program Back Your Fighter dan Game Changers.
Two lightweight boxers with perfect records, Floyd Schofield III and Lucas Bahdi, will face each other for the WBA world title belt at Wintrust Arena, Chicago, Saturday (10/10) local time. The 12-round duel is a proving ground for both men, who have never tasted defeat, and fills the main slot broadcast globally on DAZN.
Schofield, known by the nickname "Kid Austin", brings a record of 19 wins (13 KO), while Bahdi, a Canadian boxer nicknamed "Prince", has 20 wins (15 KO). Promoter Golden Boy is working with Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) to stage the event, marking a strategic collaboration between two boxing promotional powers that often compete in the United States market.
In the chief support bout, unified WBA and WBC super flyweight world champion Ricardo "El Niño" Sandoval will make his first defense against Sergio "Yoreme" Mendoza. Sandoval (27-2, 18 KO) was originally scheduled to face Oscar Collazo, but Collazo withdrew due to a rib injury. Mendoza (27-1, 23 KO) was called in as a replacement, bringing a serious threat with a KO ratio of 85 percent.
Sandoval said his enthusiasm remains high even though the opponent changed. "I'm very happy I can still fight in Chicago and get the chance to defend my title for the first time. I've trained hard and I'm ready to give my best performance," he said. Meanwhile Mendoza is determined to seize this opportunity: "I will give everything I have to become world champion."
Besides the main event, the DAZN card also features several promising prospects. Jahmal Harvey, a US Olympian now handling his professional career under MVP, will face Pedro Castaneda at lightweight. Jan Paul Rivera, an unbeaten boxer from Puerto Rico, is scheduled to face Abraham Perfecto of Mexico. Both share the ambition to perform dominantly and entertain the crowd.
On the preliminary card broadcast via Golden Boy's YouTube channel, Joshua "The Rocket" Edwards, another US Olympian, will fight Craig Lewis at heavyweight. Tristan Kalkreuth faces Ivan Rosado at cruiserweight, while Grant Flores meets Mikey Dahlman at middleweight. Naomy Valle, a female boxer from Costa Rica, will also make her US debut against Sheyla Moreno at flyweight.
Notably, Golden Boy and MVP have partnered with the nonprofit Movember to campaign for men's health. Through the "Back Your Fighter" program, fans can donate directly during fight week, with the total donations determining which boxer will shave his hair in a shave-off event. All funds raised are allocated to Movember's programs in the fight against prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health issues, and suicide prevention.
"Boxing is a sport built on discipline and the support of the people around us. That's what men's health needs. From boxers, fans, to young athletes from the Movember program in Chicago, this fight week is a moment to turn one of boxing's biggest nights into real awareness," said Tim Gnaneswaran, Director of Movember US.
In addition, young athletes from The Bloc, a youth boxing program on Chicago's West Side funded by Movember, will join the boxers on fight night. The Bloc implements the Game Changers curriculum designed to build mental resilience and life skills for boys and young men—qualities that align with the demands of boxing.
Ben Speelman, CEO of Scotch Porter, added, "Barbershops and boxing gyms have a lot in common. There, young people learn that it's okay to talk. Through Game Changers, The Bloc gives Chicago kids the tools to face life outside the ring."
For the Indonesian public, this event offers a lesson on how boxing promoters package an event as a social platform. The collaboration with Movember shows that the sports industry can be a catalyst for social change, especially on the issue of men's mental health, which remains taboo in many countries, including Indonesia. In addition, the presence of boxers like Jahmal Harvey and Jan Paul Rivera who are active on digital channels can inspire local boxing promotions to expand their reach through streaming platforms.
As the fight date draws closer, the big question: can Schofield and Bahdi maintain their perfect records, or will one of them have to swallow his first defeat? Meanwhile, Sandoval faces an unexpected test against a title-hungry Mendoza. All will be answered on October 10.
