Floyd Schofield Beats Lucas Bahdi, Captures WBA Lightweight Title in Chicago

Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield finally has the world title he has been chasing. The 24-year-old defeated previously unbeaten Lucas Bahdi by unanimous decision Saturday night at Wintrust Arena in Chicago to capture the vacant WBA lightweight championship. The judges scored the 12-round fight 115-111, 116-110 and 119-108 for Schofield. Both fighters hit the canvas during an entertaining fight, but Schofield did the stronger work over the distance and handed Bahdi the first loss of his professional career.

The victory is especially significant after a long stretch of inactivity for Schofield, whose previous appearance was his first-round stoppage of former champion Tevin Farmer in June 2025. He entered Chicago as the WBA’s No. 1 contender and left as a world champion, joining a crowded lightweight championship picture that also includes several young stars and established names. The title had become vacant after Gervonta Davis was moved to champion-in-recess status by the WBA.

For Schofield, the win changes the conversation from prospect and contender to champion. The Austin-based lightweight now has the belt and leverage to pursue the division’s biggest matchups. With names such as Davis, Abdullah Mason and William Zepeda already connected to future possibilities, Schofield’s first title defense could quickly become one of 135 pounds’ most interesting fights.