Two unbeaten lightweights will fight for their first world title when Floyd Schofield Jr. faces Lucas Bahdi at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on October 10, 2026.
Schofield enters as the clear favorite, backed by faster hands, sharper combinations and the more varied offensive game. Bahdi is the bigger betting underdog, but his composure and proven knockout power make him considerably more dangerous than the odds might suggest.
Our prediction is Floyd Schofield to win by unanimous decision. Schofield should have the speed and activity to control most of the fight, although Bahdi’s power is likely to keep him cautious enough for the contest to reach the later rounds.
| Fight | Details |
|---|---|
| Matchup | Floyd Schofield Jr. vs. Lucas Bahdi |
| Date | Saturday, October 10, 2026 |
| Venue | Wintrust Arena |
| Location | Chicago, Illinois |
| Division | Lightweight |
| Title | Vacant WBA lightweight title |
| Scheduled rounds | 12 |
| Broadcast | DAZN |
| Schofield’s record | 19-0, 13 KOs |
| Bahdi’s record | 20-0, 15 KOs |
The fight is part of an event promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and Most Valuable Promotions. Ricardo Sandoval was originally expected to defend his flyweight titles against Oscar Collazo on the same card, but Collazo withdrew after suffering a rib injury in training.
For other confirmed events, dates and venues, see the updated 2026 boxing schedule.
| Fighter | Moneyline odds | Implied probability |
|---|---|---|
| Floyd Schofield Jr. | -650 | 86.7% |
| Lucas Bahdi | +430 | 18.9% |
Odds checked September 21, 2026, and subject to change. Implied probabilities include the sportsbook margin.
Schofield is being priced as a substantial favorite, which is understandable given his speed, athleticism and recent first-round knockout of former world champion Tevin Farmer. However, a moneyline price around -650 offers limited value in a fight against an unbeaten opponent with Bahdi’s power.
Bahdi’s +430 price reflects the gap in speed and technical variety, but it should not be interpreted as evidence that he has no realistic route to victory. Fifteen of his 20 wins have come inside the distance, and his knockout of Ashton Sylve showed that he can remain dangerous even while losing exchanges.
FanDuel is our first sportsbook to check for this fight because its boxing section is easy to navigate and typically brings the most relevant markets —moneyline, total rounds, method-of-victory, and round betting together in one place. That matters here because Schofield’s short moneyline price makes the method-of-victory and total-rounds markets more interesting than simply backing him to win. If you are opening a new account, our FanDuel NY promo code guide explains the latest offer, eligibility rules, and full terms.
We would still compare the final prices before placing a bet, especially on Schofield by decision and over 8.5 rounds. A small difference in odds can materially change the value of either pick. Our guide to the best boxing betting sites includes FanDuel with New York’s other licensed options.
Schofield’s most obvious advantage is speed. He is quicker when initiating exchanges, more comfortable changing levels and better equipped to string together three- and four-punch combinations before moving out of range.
The 24-year-old can pressure opponents, but he does not need to fight recklessly to be effective. Against Bahdi, his best approach should be to work behind the jab, attack the body early and avoid remaining directly in front of the Canadian after finishing a combination.
Schofield’s 78-second knockout of Tevin Farmer demonstrated how explosive he can be when an opening appears. It should not, however, be treated as proof that he will run through every experienced opponent. Farmer was caught early, before the fight developed into the kind of tactical contest many expected.
This matchup is likely to require more patience. Bahdi is naturally dangerous when opponents rush their work or become careless after landing. Schofield can still dictate the pace, but he will need to do so without giving Bahdi repeated opportunities to counter.
Bahdi is not as fast or as fluid as Schofield, but he is more dangerous than a typical +430 underdog.
His defining performance remains the knockout of Ashton Sylve in 2024. Bahdi was behind in that fight and struggling to match Sylve’s speed before producing a sudden, decisive finish. It was an important demonstration of both his patience and his ability to change a fight with one clean sequence.
Since then, Bahdi has continued to build his record without losing the qualities that made the Sylve victory possible. He stays composed under pressure, carries legitimate power and does not need to dominate every minute to remain a threat.
The concern is whether he can win enough rounds when the knockout does not arrive. Schofield should be able to beat him to the punch and create a higher volume of clean scoring moments. If Bahdi spends too long waiting for one decisive counter, the scorecards could become difficult to recover.
| Category | Advantage | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Hand speed | Schofield | Faster first punch and quicker combinations |
| Footwork | Schofield | Better lateral movement and control of distance |
| Combination punching | Schofield | More varied offense and higher output |
| One-punch power | Bahdi | Proven ability to change a fight suddenly |
| Counterpunching threat | Bahdi | Most dangerous when opponents overcommit |
| Body punching | Schofield | More consistent at changing levels |
| Professional experience | Even | Both are unbeaten but entering their first world-title fight |
| Late-round danger | Bahdi | Power remains relevant even when he is behind |
The opening rounds should favor Schofield. His speed will allow him to establish the jab, touch the body and leave range before Bahdi can set his feet. Bahdi may concede some early rounds while looking for patterns he can counter later.
The most dangerous stage for Schofield could come between the fourth and eighth rounds. That is when confidence may encourage him to remain in the pocket longer, while Bahdi should have collected enough information to begin timing his exits.
Schofield does not need to accept those exchanges. If he remains disciplined, he can continue banking rounds through cleaner combinations and greater activity. Bahdi will still have moments, particularly when Schofield pauses after attacking, but those moments may not be frequent enough to overcome the favorite’s overall output.
In the championship rounds, Schofield’s corner should prioritize control over spectacle. Unless Bahdi is visibly hurt, chasing a stoppage would create unnecessary risk against the underdog’s best weapon.
Schofield is the more complete boxer and should hold meaningful advantages in speed, movement and combination punching. Those qualities give him several ways to win rounds without engaging Bahdi in the type of prolonged exchanges the underdog needs.
Bahdi’s knockout power prevents this from being a routine assignment. He has already shown that he can remain composed when a fight is moving against him and punish a single defensive mistake. That threat should encourage Schofield to box more carefully rather than forcing an early finish.
Our projected score is 116-112 for Schofield, with the favorite controlling most of the early and middle rounds while Bahdi remains competitive and dangerous enough to hear the final bell.
| Betting market | Pick | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Fight winner | Floyd Schofield | High |
| Method of victory | Schofield by decision | Medium |
| Total rounds | Over 8.5 rounds | Medium |
| Underdog moneyline | Pass on Bahdi at +430 | — |
Schofield’s moneyline is difficult to recommend at approximately -650. He is the rightful favorite, but bettors would need to risk too much for a relatively small return against an unbeaten puncher.
The decision market should offer a more reasonable price while matching the most likely shape of the fight. Schofield has the tools to win rounds consistently, but Bahdi has never been stopped and should command enough respect to prevent the favorite from attacking without caution.
The over also deserves consideration if it is available at an acceptable price. Schofield may begin aggressively after his quick win over Farmer, but Bahdi is durable, patient and experienced enough to survive difficult stretches.
The principal risk is Schofield’s early speed creating a decisive opening before Bahdi settles into the fight. On balance, however, the title-fight setting and Bahdi’s counterpunching threat make a measured contest more likely than an immediate shootout.
Floyd Schofield should win, but the moneyline does not offer much value at its current price.
The stronger betting angle is Schofield by decision, with over 8.5 rounds as the secondary option. Bahdi has enough power to punish a mistake and make portions of the fight uncomfortable, but Schofield’s speed, movement and higher output should allow him to control more rounds and claim the vacant WBA lightweight title.
Final prediction: Floyd Schofield Jr. by unanimous decision.
Floyd Schofield Jr. and Lucas Bahdi are scheduled to fight on Saturday, October 10, 2026.
The fight is scheduled for Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
Schofield and Bahdi will compete for the vacant WBA lightweight title.
Floyd Schofield is the betting favorite. At the time of writing, he was listed around -650, while Lucas Bahdi was approximately +430.
Our preferred bet is Floyd Schofield to win by decision. Over 8.5 rounds is the secondary betting angle, depending on the price available before the fight.
Our prediction is Floyd Schofield by unanimous decision. His speed, movement and combination punching should allow him to win more rounds, although Bahdi’s power makes him dangerous throughout the contest.