WBA lightweight title fight set after Gervonta Davis stripped of belt

The WBA is reportedly set to order a world title showdown at 135lbs after stripping Gervonta Davis of his black and gold belt in January.

Davis became the sanctioning body’s ‘champion in recess’, meaning he has not been completely removed from the picture, after being dealt a domestic violence charge at the beginning of 2026.

Naturally, his unsavoury behaviour outside the ring has resulted in a prolonged spell of inactivity, which is also why the WBA no longer considers him an active champion.

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The 31-year-old’s last outing saw him make a successful WBA title defence, boxing to a controversial draw against Lamont Roach in March 2025, before inking a deal to face Jake Paul in an exhibition match.

Due to allegations of domestic violence, though, Davis was ultimately removed from the event and replaced by Anthony Joshua, who scored a sixth-round finish over Paul in December.

As for the vacant WBA lightweight title, boxing journalist Dan Rafael reported via social media on Monday that the organisation will order a clash between Floyd Schofield and Lucas Badhi.

“Letters expected to go out this week but [the WBA] told me [on] Sunday it will order Floyd Schofield-Lucas Bahdi [for the] vacant 135[lb] title.”

Schofield has not fought since his blistering first-round finish over Tevin Farmer in June, when the 23-year-old cemented himself as the WBA’s leading lightweight contender.

Placed just behind him in the rankings is Bahdi, another unbeaten operator, who comes off a unanimous decision victory over Roger Gutierrez in August.

As per the WBA’s rules and regulations, both parties will be given a 30-day negotiation window once their world title fight is ordered, with their matchup heading to a purse bid hearing if a deal cannot be reached.

Calvin Ford, the long-time coach for Gervonta Davis, has commented on the probability of Tank returning to the ring.

The former pound-for-pound boxing star last fought in April, 2026, when he shared a disputed draw with Lamont Roach Jr.

Since then, he was linked with a Roach rematch but instead moved toward an exhibition involving Jake Paul on Netflix. Most Valuable Promotions, though, canceled that event amid allegations ‘Tank’ had committed battery causing injury. Though he denies the allegations, the matter remains unresolved at the time of publication.

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The sport of boxing continues without Davis but, per Ford, the fighter’s comeback will be for a big fight.

“He ain’t going anywhere,” Ford told the Rize Podcast. “Tank is still here. And I guarantee you something that will happen. Everybody miss Tank fighting, and when he come back it will be the right fight as we want to entertain.

“Things happen for a reason to make a person much stronger,” Ford added. “One of the guys you truly love is not in the mix right now but he will be back in the mix. Tank been doing this since he’s been 7 years old. Sometimes you need that reset. Him being away, going through things he’s being through. He looks happy. I can’t wait.

“I can’t tell nobody who I’d to see in the comeback — that’s who we’re going to fight. It’s being promoted right under your nose.”

Watch the clip right here:

During his prime years, Davis forged a reputation as one of boxing’s scariest punchers because of the way in which he was able to finish guys like Jose Pedraza, Leo Santa Cruz, and Mario Barrios. In other wins, he defeated Rolando Romero, Ryan Garcia, and Frank Martin.

“He’s fighting who I want him to”: Gervonta Davis coach confirms comeback plan

A big update has been given on the fighting future of Gervonta Davis.

Davis hasn’t fought since his controversial draw with Lamont Roach Jr back in March 2025, having been involved in some serious legal issues since then.

He had been scheduled to take on YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in November, but those problems outside of the ring led to that bout being cancelled, and ‘Tank’ has subsequently been stripped of his WBA lightweight title.

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Many boxing fans have wondered whether or not Davis may ever compete again, but his coach Calvin Ford has insisted to The Rize Podcast that ‘Tank’ will indeed return, and that he has a good idea who he will face.

“He will be back in the mix.

Tank has been doing this sh*t since he was seven-years-old. Sometimes you need that reset because that reset means a lot.

“I can’t wait. I already know who I would like to see for a comeback. The person I want to see him in the ring with is the one we’re going to fight. That’s why I can’t say yet. I’m campaigning for it.

“At the end of the day he has to make the decision on who he wants to fight, but I know it has to be the right opponent, especially for his fans so they can really say I support him. It has to be a fight where they can be like ‘yeah!’”

Davis remains one of the biggest names in the sport, and if he was to return, he is at the top of the hit list for one reigning world champion.

Gervonta Davis ‘top of the list’ for world title fight but would face big jump up in weight

The return of Gervonta Davis is up in the air but there may be a title fight waiting for him in the welterweight division should he return.

Davis has not won a fight since June 2024, with his solitary outing since being a controversial draw against Lamont Roach Jr last March – a fight which many fans believe should have cost Davis his undefeated record.

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‘Tank’ was then scheduled to face Jake Paul, but he was mentioned in a civil lawsuit – which cites violent behaviour, battery and kidnapping – two weeks before the fight, resulting in the cancellation of the event.

The 31-year-old has since been arrested and stripped of his WBA lightweight world title, with a potential return to the ring seemingly on hold until his situation outside of it has been cleared up.

Yet, in an interview with All The Smoke Fight, trainer and father of Devin Haney, Bill, revealed that Davis still sits atop the hit list for the WBO welterweight ruler.

“It’s about 10 names on the list. Tank is at the top of it, maybe Shakur [Stevenson] is next. Jaron Ennis. I think Conor Benn might be on there, towards the bottom, you know what I mean?

“Ryan Garcia is number 10, Brian Norman was on there. Keyshawn Davis, your man Keyshawn Davis is on there too.”

‘Tank’ has only fought as high as super-lightweight – a win against Mario Barrios back in 2021 – and would be undersized at welterweight.

The new holder of the WBA lightweight world title is expected to be determined on Saturday, April 11, although Golden Boy Promotions’ ongoing lawsuit with Vergil Ortiz could lead to that event being pushed back.

As for Haney – who won the title from Brian Norman Jr in November last year to become a three-weight champion – he has also expressed interest in fights with Shakur Stevenson, Keyshawn Davis and Conor Benn.

Unbeaten former champion promises he will be the first to KO Gervonta Davis

It remains unclear when Gervonta Davis will return to the ring, but one unbeaten star has already vowed to knock ‘Tank’ out if given the chance.

Davis has not won a professional boxing contest since June 2024, with a draw against Lamont Roach Jr. being his only outing within the last 20 months, followed by the cancellation of his planned November exhibition bout with Jake Paul.

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After being arrested for an alleged domestic incident, the 31-year-old was stripped of his WBA lightweight world title. Davis has since hinted at a move up in weight, stating his plans to rematch Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz, though it appears he has plenty to deal with outside of the ropes before that becomes realistic.

On the ‘Come and Talk 2 Me’ podcast, former WBO lightweight world champion Keyshawn Davis shared his willingness to fight Davis should he return, promising he would hand the 31-year-old a first career defeat and do so without the aid of the judges.

“I was cool with you, until you said a mental health joke about me. I don’t really respect you, for real.

“You can fight, bro. You can fight. But, you know, since I was 16 and you was like 27 when we sparred, you already knew what type of timeline I was on.

“Now that I am in this position and I am all grown up now, if you ever would give me a chance to fight you, just be ready, bro, because I am not one of those people like you have been picking on and bullying that you know you can beat.

“If you ever do want to fight me, which I think you’re not going to fight me because you know, just be ready. I am not playing with you and you are getting stopped.”

Despite the call out, it is believed that Keyshawn is not planning on sticking around at super-lightweight for long, having also demanded a showdown with WBO welterweight world champion Devin Haney during the aftermath of his latest win. Haney has said he is open to the challenge, and fans certainly are too.

Keyshawn Davis Says Gervonta Davis Lost His Respect After Remark

Davis says Gervonta’s remark shifted rivalry from business to personal Keyshawn Davis says Gervonta Davis crossed a line with a remark about his mental health. What was once a competitive target has now become personal.

Speaking during an interview with Come and Talk 2 Me, Davis explained that his view of Gervonta changed after a remark related to his mental health, something he said he could not ignore.

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“I was cool with you till he said like a mental health joke about me,” Davis said. “So, I don’t really respect you for real. But, um, you can fight, bro.” The comment marked a clear break in how Davis now speaks about Gervonta, whom he had previously pursued as a major career opponent without personal hostility. Respect Broken Davis made clear that the issue was not about fear or hesitation, but about respect and memory from their past interactions.

“You already knew what type time I was on,” Davis said. “Now that I’m in this position and I’m all grown up now, if you ever would give me a chance, bro, just be ready. I’m not one of those people you’ve been picking on.” He went further, predicting a definitive outcome if the fight ever happens.

“You getting stopped,” Davis said. “You know what happened last time you sparred.” Davis did not provide details of the sparring session, but his reference underscored his belief that he has already proven himself against Gervonta in private. The tension adds another layer to a fight that has remained out of reach.

Gervonta is one of boxing’s most established draws, headlining major events and controlling his own schedule. Davis, still early in his career, is attempting to position himself for those same opportunities at higher weight classes.

“I’ll fight anybody, bro,” Davis said. “I really will fight him.” For now, the fight remains a possibility rather than a plan. But Davis’s remarks made clear that his pursuit of Gervonta is no longer just about proving himself in the ring. It is also about settling something that he believes was made personal.

A Baltimore judge has recalled the arrest warrant for Gervonta “Tank” Davis over an alleged probation violation linked to his 2020 hit-and-run case.

The state did not oppose the request. Davis’ attorney has said the fighter remains compliant, removing the immediate risk of being taken into custody in Maryland on that matter.

The immediate threat has eased. The wider case remains.

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Probation Warrant Recalled
The warrant stemmed from Davis’ probation status tied to the Baltimore hit-and-run case. While the recall eases the short-term threat of an arrest in Maryland, it does not end probation itself or the court’s ability to revisit compliance if circumstances change.

Davis has already experienced how quickly conditions can tighten when supervision is involved. That history underscores how quickly probation can shift from supervision to custody.

Florida Case Still Active
Davis is still facing separate allegations in Florida following an October 27, 2025, incident in Miami Gardens. Reports around the case have referenced charges including battery, false imprisonment, and attempted kidnapping. Davis was arrested in Miami in late January and later released on bond with a no-contact order in place.The key point is simple: the Maryland warrant being recalled does not resolve the Florida case. If the Florida matter advances to a conviction, the consequences could be serious on their own. It could also put Davis back under renewed scrutiny in Maryland due to the existing supervision.

Second Jail Term Still Possible
Nothing in the recalled warrant guarantees Davis avoids custody in the future. It only removes one immediate pressure point.

Davis remains undefeated at 30-0-1. Outside the ring, the legal timeline remains active. Even with the Maryland warrant recalled, any new adverse ruling in Florida could place him back into jeopardy quickly.

One issue has been resolved. The larger case has not.

Gervonta Davis does not lack options. But if he wants a return fight that carries instant meaning, Isaac Cruz still stands above the rest.

As Davis deals with ongoing legal matters and the weight class picture shifts around him, the usual speculation has followed: who’s next, and how soon?

There are marketable names and fresh matchups available. But only one opponent comes with a story that never fully settled the first time.

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The Chapter That Never Fully Closed
Their December 2021 meeting ended in a unanimous decision win for Davis.

On paper, it was clear. In the ring, it was competitive.

Cruz’s pressure forced Davis to adjust in ways few opponents have managed. For long stretches, Davis boxed with caution, relying on timing and control rather than imposing himself.

It was not controversy. It was discomfort for the champion.

And that kind of night tends to follow a fighter until he answers it.

Timing Changes The Choice
Cruz is no longer a short-notice replacement stepping into the spotlight. He has stayed active, improved, and kept calling for the sequel.

Davis, meanwhile, faces uncertainty on his timeline while legal proceedings continue. That makes the opponent selection more important than usual.

If Davis wants a comeback that quiets questions instead of creating new ones, Cruz is the cleanest answer. The history is already there, and the stakes don’t need manufacturing.

Clarity From Cruz’s Side
Advisor Sean Gibbons confirmed to World Boxing News that Cruz has identified Davis as his primary target.

No conditions have been floated publicly. No demands. No pre-fight theater. From Cruz’s side, the message is simple: if Davis wants it, the door is open.

That matters in a division where talks often stall before they begin.

Risk, Reward, And Reputation
Davis remains one of boxing’s biggest draws. He can sell fights against multiple opponents.

But few matchups offer what Cruz does: a chance to settle the one result that still sparks fan debate.

A decisive Davis win ends the debate. A tighter fight — or a reversal — changes the lightweight conversation immediately.

That is the risk. It is also why the rematch carries real weight.

The Choice People Will Judge
When Davis returns, the opponent will be read as a statement.

Cruz is the most direct route back into meaningful competition because the first fight already proved he is not a formality.

If the rematch happens, the story gets its ending. If it does not, the question will linger every time Davis is linked to someone else.

Because for all the names at 135 to 140, few come with a lingering question that still demands an answer. – If you use these WBN quotes, please link back to the source: https://www.worldboxingnews.com/isaac-cruz-gervonta-davis-cannot-ignore/