The bumper card headlined by Artur Bertebiev and Dmitry Bivol’s rematch has been rocked by a late cancellation.
Seven world title or interim world title bouts had been scheduled for Saturday’s event in Riyadh.
But that number has dropped to six as Floyd Schofield was forced to pull out of his fight against Shakur Stevenson for the WBC world lightweight title.
Schofield was already in Saudi Arabia at the start of fight week, but was a mysterious no-show for the grand arrivals on Tuesday.
News of his withdrawal came on the back of wild accusations on social media that he was poisoned.
His dad, Floyd Sr, has not revealed the exact nature of the withdrawal, however, posted a video on Instagram showing his son lying in a hospital bed.
He refuted accusations that he was ducking any fight and asked fans to send prayers to his son.
With Schofield out, England’s Josh Padley is said to be the late replacement tasked with stepping up to face Stevenson.
The 28-year-old, who is an electrician by day, stunned the boxing world and the bookies when he overcame odds of 9/1 to beat Mark Chamberlain on the Anthony Joshua v Daniel Dubois undercard at Wembley Stadium last September.
Padley dropped Chamberlain, who was a plasterer before he went full-time as a boxer, late in the fight on his way to a unanimous decision victory.
Prior to Schofield’s confirmed withdrawal, Matchroom’s Eddie Hearn believed the fight would still go ahead as planned following the 22-year-old’s absence from the grand arrivals.
He said: “He’s [Schofield] is getting ready for the check-weight tomorrow. That’s why I believe he’s not here tonight.
“That’s a question for Golden Boy [Schofield’s promoter], not for Eddie Hearn. Shakur Stevenson will be here tonight.”
Pressed on whether the fight was at risk of not going ahead, Hearn said: “No. Not that I believe, no. I mean, we spoke to Golden Boy earlier and not that we believe – no.”
Prior to the bout, Stevenson voiced his concerns Schofield wouldn’t make it to the ring amid fears the 22-year-old was ‘looking for a way out’.
“I’m actually scared, like I’m actually scared they’re not going to show up to the fight,” Stevenson said in a clip with former world champion Andre Ward.
“All of this work that I’m putting in right now, I just feel like they’re looking for an excuse, like they’re looking for a way out.”
Stevenson added: “It got me worried because it’s like, are you going to show up to Saudi or are you going to say somebody stole your passport or you’re going to make up some type of excuse to why you’re not coming to the fight.
More to follow…
