Richardson Hitchins has expressed his stance on the upcoming February 22nd lightweight contest between WBC champion Shakur Stevenson and Floyd Schofield. He believes that while the fight may be entertaining due to Schofield's ability to hurt Stevenson, it doesn't measure up to a high-level match like Stevenson facing Gervonta Davis.

Fan Backlash and the Selecting of Schofield

Fans and the media have been critical of Shakur for choosing the 22-year-old prospect Schofield. Many top 15 fighters come from great amateur backgrounds, such as 2020 Olympic gold medalist Andy Cruz or Keyshawn Davis, whom Shakur could have faced but didn't. Selecting Schofield has given the impression that Shakur is avoiding risks before his highly anticipated cash-out fight against Tank Davis in 2025. This has led to disappointment among fans, as it seems to betray Shakur's claim of being the best in the division.

Shakur is clearly focused on that big fight, and it's understandable why he's taking this cautious approach. But it has also raised questions about his credibility as a fighter.

"Not A Good Fight" - Richardson Hitchins' Perspective

When asked about the clash by iFL TV, Richardson Hitchins had this to say: "I don't think it's a big fight at all. It's an entertaining fight because of Schofield. A lot of times, people hype up fights and then they're disappointed. That's the job of the media. I'm not here to give anyone a free pass. It's not a good fight in terms of skill vs. skill. It's just a man with gloves having the ability to hurt another human being, which is Shakur. But it's not on the same level as a Bivol vs. Beterbiev or a Shakur vs. Tank Davis fight where you have two technically skilled fighters with high IQ. It's just an entertaining fight."

Hitchins is spot on. The Shakur-Schofield fight is entertaining but not a great one. Schofield's recent performances have been lackluster.

Schofield's Last Four Opponents

Schofield's recent opponents include Rene Tellez Giron, Esteuri Suero, Ricardo Lopez Torres, and Haskell Rhodes. These are not names that are widely known even among hardcore boxing fans. It clearly shows that Schofield's qualifications for this fight against Shakur are questionable. He doesn't deserve the title shot or the #2 ranking he has been given by the WBA.

It's clear that this fight is more about entertainment value than showcasing the true skills of the fighters.