Boxer at centre of Beterbiev vs Bivol ‘poison’ scandal caught up in SPY row after dad claims mole was planted in camp
FLOYD SCHOFIELD’S late withdrawal from his world title fight with Shakur Stevenson is at the centre of wild allegations of spying and food poisoning.
The two former lightweight sparring partners were due to feature on Saturday night’s super-card in Saudi Arabia.
But cracks appeared to show at Tuesday evenings glitzy Grand Arrivals in Riyadh – a day before every boxer spoke to on-ground media.
It was on the Monday that both Schofield and his dad and trainer Floyd Sr accused Stevenson of hiring a MOLE to spy on their camp.
Jr told SecondsOut said: “We had a couple things in camp that was like, ‘What the hell.’
“But we got past that. It didn’t effect nothing from our training, it didn’t effect anything it was just certain people that we thought that we could trust that we couldn’t trust.”
Explaining how he caught the alleged double agent, Schofield added: “We caught them doing stuff. Before it was accusations until we were actually able to prove it.
“It was sad because we knew these people since I was like seven-years-old. So we just had to remove them from camp and get back right.”
Schofield claimed his passport was tampered with and tyres on his car stabbed by the apparent double crosser.
But then Schofield amazingly backtracked: “We’re not saying it’s Shakur, we’re having fun with everything. We’re doing what he does, we love trolling.”
Schofield’s no-show at the Grand Arrivals led to questions over the state of Stevenson’s WBC title defence.
And on Wednesday, news broke that the undefeated 22-year-old had been pulled out of the bout by the British Boxing Board of Control – overseeing the event.
It came just hours after Schofield Sr sensationally claimed his son had been SPIKED.
He shared a text message which read: “This isn’t something to take lightly. I’m not trying to play no games. I got love for y’all and looking out, but they spiked your son”.
And Floyd Sr later told talkSPORT: “Floyd will be OK and make a full recovery… Someone tried to kill him.”
Stevenson denied the allegations of poisoning and spying on opponent Schofield.
He told Ring Magazine: “I try not to get into all the clown stuff. I know it’s clown business. When you try to insert yourself into that y’re kinda going with the circus.
“I’m trying to stay away from the circus. Truthfully, I know it’s some clown stuff. None of my former opponents have ever said any of this stuff. They never complained about anything.”
BBBoC general secretary Robert Smith also responded to the allegations live on radio.
Smith said: “All I can tell you is that he went to a hospital and he’s been deemed not to box.
“Of course, it concerns me. It concerns me a lot about what the parents say when they don’t know the full facts.
“When we get the full facts we will be able to find out what the full situation is.
“At the moment we don’t know other than the fact that the kid is unfit to box.
“But of course, it concerns me what people say. People can throw things out there all the time and then we have to look into, which we will.”
Stevenson, 27, will now fight late substitute Josh Padley, 29, who flew out with just three days till fight night.
And Schofield was hospitalised with illness as his promoters Golden Boy released a statement.
It read: “Yesterday, Floyd “Kid Austin” Schofield Jr. fell ill and was transported to the hospital as a precautionary measure.
“In the interest of Schofield’s health and safety, the British Boxing Board of Control made the decision to cancel his scheduled bout against Shakur Stevenson.
“Schofield has since been discharged from the hospital and is awaiting the results of his medical evaluation.
“We extend our gratitude to HE Turki Alalshikh, SELA, and the medical professionals who provided Schofield with care.”