by Keith Idec
FLOYD SCHOFIELD’s confidence triggered probably the most troublesome second of his creating profession Saturday night time.
Hellbent on entertaining followers throughout a struggle he was successful comfortably, the 22-year-old light-weight contender traded with rugged Rene Tellez Giron sufficient to endure the primary knockdown of his profession in a bout he ultimately gained by unanimous choice. A counter left hook by Giron landed behind Schofield’s proper ear and despatched him to at least one knee and his gloves with 1:12 to go within the 11th spherical of their 12-round struggle at Virgin Resorts Las Vegas.
That flash knockdown didn’t damage Schofield badly, however it served as a reminder to be extra aware of protection. Floyd Schofield Sr., the gifted fighter’s father and coach, scolded his son all through this bout as a result of he felt one among boxing’s most tantalizing skills fought somewhat recklessly.
Schofield reached his ft rapidly and adequately answered referee Thomas Taylor’s instructions after Giron despatched him down in the course of the 11th spherical. The Austin, Texas native regained his composure, instinctually fought his method out of that hassle and, 5 minutes later, secured a decisive win on the playing cards of judges Tim Cheatham (118-109), Patricia Morse Jarman (116-111) and David Sutherland (118-109).
Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs), who’s represented by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy Promotions, predicted to DAZN’s broadcast staff throughout their pre-fight assembly that he would knock out the sturdy Giron inside 4 rounds. Mexico’s Giron (20-4, 13 KOs), who upset 2016 U.S. Olympian Karlos Balderas (14-2, 12 KOs) by sixth-round knockout in December 2019, has misplaced solely on factors in 9 years as a professional.
“I really feel actual good,” Schofield instructed DAZN’s Chris Mannix within the ring. “You understand, Rene’s a tricky fighter. You understand, I slept on it – he obtained just a little little bit of energy. However, you understand, thanks to Rene. He’s a unbelievable, robust fighter. And, you understand, on to the following.”
Punch statistics confirmed Schofield was way more efficient general. CompuBox counted 187 extra connections for Schofield (259-of-771 to 72-of-292).
Giron’s toughness however left an impression on the ascending Schofield.
“I believe I hit him with like a four-piece mixture,” Schofield recalled. “And I cracked him, and I’m like, ‘Man, he simply standing proper in entrance of me.’ I’m like, ‘I may need to go all 12, so.’ ”
The fast-handed, highly effective Schofield disillusioned his father and veteran coach Ronnie Shields, who additionally labored his nook. He doesn’t remorse giving followers leisure worth for his or her cash, although.
“They simply wished me to remain on my jab, keep on the bike,” Schofield stated. “However, you understand, I wanna give the followers an entertaining struggle, on the finish of the day, and you understand, simply bang it out if I gotta bang it out, you understand? I knew he wasn’t gonna stand there and let me field him the entire struggle. You seen he simply saved coming ahead each time I threw, so I used to be like, ‘You understand what? I’mma field good, however I’mma additionally give the followers a present.’ ”
Schofield switched stances and principally managed the motion due to his hand and foot pace, superior versatility and mixture punching. Eight rounds previous to taking place, nonetheless, Giron appeared to initially buzz him when Giron landed a proper in an alternate, which left Schofield holding him with slightly below 25 seconds remaining within the third spherical.
A number of seconds later, Schofield turned his again on Giron and pointed to the again of his head, the place Giron additionally inadvertently landed a punch. Taylor stepped between them earlier than Giron may’ve, throughout the guidelines, hit Schofield whereas the favored fighter confronted a unique course.
Schofield knowledgeable Mannix that he wasn’t damage within the third spherical or the 11th spherical. These two tenuous sequences nonetheless served as gas for critics, together with WBC light-weight champion Shakur Stevenson (22-0, 10 KOs), that contend Schofield isn’t able to problem Stevenson or WBA light-weight champ Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0, 28 KOs), each of whom Scholfield referred to as out earlier than he encountered Giron.
