When Floyd Schofield Jr. is part of a controversy, you can bet it’ll be an entertaining one. Last Monday, reports surfaced that the undefeated lightweight prospect was forced to withdraw from his upcoming fight against Joseph ‘Jo Jo’ Diaz due to a right-hand injury with minor ligament damage. The bout was scheduled for November 8 in Fort Worth, Texas, serving as the co-main event under Vergil Ortiz Jr. vs. Erickson Lubin.

Soon after the reports broke, Golden Boy Promotions, Floyd Schofield Jr.’s promoter, issued a statement clarifying the situation. The promotion explained that Schofield Jr.’s withdrawal came after a “medical evaluation and on the advice of his team.” And speaking of his team, his father and trainer, Floyd Schofield Sr., has since spoken out about the setback, suggesting that ‘Jo Jo’ caught a break thanks to his son’s withdrawal.

Floyd Schofield Sr. responds to backlash

In a recent interview with Fight Hype, Floyd Schofield Sr. brushed off criticism from fans regarding his son’s withdrawal. “So, fans gonna say what they want. It’s on them. I put all the proof out there. I can’t do nothing,” he said. It’s worth noting that Schofield Jr. faced a similar situation earlier this year when he was set to fight WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson. Just before the bout, he was hospitalized and forced to pull out.

Following his latest withdrawal, social media erupted with mockery and trolling directed at ‘Kid Austin,’ with many accusing the 23-year-old of putting on a show to avoid the fight. However, Schofield Sr. quickly flipped the narrative, claiming divine intervention had spared ‘Jo Jo’ Diaz from facing his son. “I feel God protected ‘Jo Jo.’ I swear to goodness, ‘Jo Jo’ is really spiritual, and I think God intervened and allowed ‘Jo Jo’ to have a safe passage on to his next fight,” he said.

The father/trainer went on to explain that his son had never experienced hand issues despite countless fights. “So I say for that to be that much of a freak accident, God just helped ‘Jo Jo,’” Schofield Sr. continued in the video. “Everybody else could say what they want, but ‘Jo Jo’ got a free pass. He’s going to have a great fight against somebody else.” He wrapped up by suggesting that they’re targeting a February return, adding that Golden Boy might instead be exploring a title opportunity for his son.

‘Jo Jo’ Diaz has not released a statement since Schofield Jr.’s withdrawal, but Shakur Stevenson had a lot to say when he faced Schofield Jr.’s last-minute withdrawal. 

Shakur Stevenson would never give a title shot to Floyd Schofield Jr.

After Schofield Jr.’s pullout in February, Shakur Stevenson made it clear he has no interest in giving Floyd Schofield Jr. another shot at his WBC lightweight title. The WBC lightweight champion felt disrespected by his younger counterpart after the withdrawal in the last minute. “It was very disappointing just off the fact that I gave him an opportunity,” Stevenson told Cigar Talk.

“I’m the one who put him on that stage. When the higher-ups said they don’t want that fight to happen, I pushed for it anyway. I gave him that opportunity, and he just slapped me in my face.” When asked if he’d ever give Schofield another chance, Stevenson didn’t hesitate. “F— no, hell no. He ain’t deserve to be there.” Stevenson went on to instead fight Josh Padley and produced a 9th-round knockout win. 

That said, Floyd Schofield Jr. seems to be building a name for himself, though perhaps not in the way he hoped or planned. After all, Floyd Mayweather was once the sport’s most polarizing figure, yet he turned criticism into a legacy. Could Schofield be following a similar path? And what’s your take on Schofield Sr.’s claims?