Floyd Schofield beat Lucas Bahdi by a wide unanimous decision (119-108, 116-110, 115-111) to win the vacant WBA lightweight championship at Wintrust Arena in Chicago. After an unforgettable opening two rounds, Schofield began ramping up the pressure about 30 seconds into the third. 

 

An overhand right to the temple shook Bahdi’s legs. Schofield connected on a multi-punch combination, but Bahdi grabbed a headlock to the ropes. Schofield continued the assault with a looping right hook to the temple, which nearly sent Bahdi to the canvas.

Schofield was looking for the finish. He landed another right hand that sent Bahdi partially through the ropes, which is considered a knockdown. 

 

To Bahdi’s credit, he showed no quit. Near the end of the fourth, an exchange of hooks occurred with Bahdi landing the harder blow that temporarily stopped Schofield in his tracks.

 

Things started to take a turn in Bahdi’s direction at the end of the sixth round. Schofield landed a flush left hook that looked to put Bahdi in serious trouble. Not so much as Bahdi blasted a flush right hand that looked to have Schofield out on his feet. “Kid Austin” made it through the round, but when he got to his stool, Schofield still looked worse for the wear.

 

Schofield seemed to get his footing back in the ninth and the tenth. He started using his footwork, popping the jab and wearing out Bahdi.

The momentum shifted again in the eleventh. Bahdi landed an overhand right and stepped on Schofield’s foot. But Schofield went down, and it was ruled a knockdown. 

 

The fight looked to be hanging in the balance in the 12th and final round. Each guy had their moments, with neither guy appearing to be pulling away.