Shakur Stevenson isn’t entertaining the idea of a fight with Floyd "Kid Austin" Schofield without the latter proving himself against rising prospect Abdullah Mason (16-0, 14 KOs). Stevenson, the reigning WBC lightweight champion, dismissed Schofield’s persistent callouts, claiming they’re more about gaining clout than securing a meaningful bout.
"They’re using my name to promote themselves," Stevenson told Punsh Drunk Boxing. "He hasn’t done anything to earn a fight with me."
Schofield, 22, emerged as a possible replacement for William Zepeda after the WBC interim lightweight champion pulled out of a February 22 card in Riyadh due to a hand injury. However, Stevenson has not officially confirmed an opponent for the highly anticipated Saudi event.
The Newark fighter made it clear that Schofield lacks the credentials for a title shot but offered a challenge: beat Abdullah Mason, a promising prospect, to earn his respect and a crack at the WBC title.
"I told him before, I’d fight him if he beat Zepeda," Stevenson said. "Now, I’m saying, beat my little bro [Mason]. I’ll even help make the fight happen, but he won’t pass the test. Mason would stop him."
The proposition highlights the fractured landscape of boxing promotion, as Stevenson is with Matchroom, Schofield with Golden Boy, and Mason with Top Rank. Still, Stevenson’s conditions underline his belief that Schofield, despite an undefeated record, hasn’t faced real competition.
“Kid Austin hasn’t been in a real fight. He hasn’t done anything in boxing that would make a fight with me worthwhile," Stevenson added.
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