De La Hoya Slams Hearn: "Matchroom Really Wants to Put Shakur Against Him?"

Golden Boy Promotions founder and CEO Oscar De La Hoya criticized Eddie Hearn’s proposal for Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs) to face WBC lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs).

"The fight between Shakur Stevenson and William Zepeda was fully agreed upon until William injured his hand during his fight with Tevin Farmer.

So you’d think Shakur would target Frank Martin, Muratalla, or one of the champions, right? No, instead Shakur and 'Lonely Eddie' made an offer to my 22-year-old prospect Floyd Schofield, who has no experience in championship fights.

This is what I mean when I say Hearn doesn’t know how to build fighters’ careers.

Look at Bob Arum—he made Shakur Stevenson a world champion. And Matchroom really wants to put Shakur against a prospect? Eddie, I didn’t think you could sink lower, but you’ve managed," De La Hoya stated.

Notably, Stevenson himself became a world champion at the same age as Schofield—22.

In July, Shakur defeated Artem Harutyunyan (12-2, 7 KOs) via unanimous decision. He was slated to fight Joe Cordina (17-1, 9 KOs) on October 12 but had to withdraw due to a hand injury. After that, Mexican fighter William Zepeda (32-0, 27 KOs) was considered the most likely opponent for Stevenson, but Zepeda also suffered an injury during his last fight.

On November 2, Floyd Schofield secured a unanimous decision victory over Rene Tellez Giron (20-4, 13 KOs).