Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi have been granted an extension until August 18 to negotiate terms for the vacant WBA lightweight world championship. Both camps requested a delay to avoid a promotional purse bid in Houston, keeping private contractual talks alive.
The auction was originally scheduled to take place on Tuesday, 11 August, in Houston. However, the World Boxing Association agreed to step back after both promotional teams requested extra time to finalize an agreement and avoid public bidding.
In an official statement issued on Monday, the sanctioning body confirmed: “The purse bid for the vacant WBA Lightweight World Championship bout between Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi, which was scheduled to take place this Tuesday, August 11, has been postponed at the request of both parties, who asked for additional time as they continue working toward an agreement,”
The mutual request for extra time suggests both sides are nearing a compromise.
For Schofield, 23, the arrangement presents a major strategic opening in a highly competitive 135 lb weight class. A direct shot at the vacant WBA title allows the American prospect to become a world champion without navigating difficult eliminators against other titleholders in the division, such as WBC champion William Zepeda, WBO champion Abdullah Mason, or IBF champion Raymond Muratalla. At this stage of his career, securing a world title opportunity without eliminating another top contender is an ideal scenario.
Bahdi holds substantial incentive of his own. The Canadian made a significant statement in July 2024 with a dramatic fifth-round knockout of Ashton Sylve. He now has the opportunity to translate that breakthrough win into a world title shot.
If the two sides complete a deal before August 18, they will control the promotional terms, event venue, and broadcast rights internally. Should negotiations stall before the extended deadline, the WBA will resume the purse-bid process to award promotional rights to the highest bidder.
