The World Boxing Association says their lightweight world champ Gervonta "Tank" Davis has to fight their mandatory challenger, Floyd Schofield next.
The World Boxing Association has officially directed lightweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis to fulfill his mandatory title defense against unbeaten contender Floyd Schofield.
Davis, who recently restored from the organization's “champion in recess” status, has been out of action for over year, but it appears that he's informed the WBA he wants to return to the ring.
Both camps were informed Saturday of the decision and now have 30 days, until June 22, to negotiate a deal. If no agreement is reached, the WBA is expected to move forward with a purse bid.
However, as insider Dan Rafael wrote on his Substack, the WBA has previously allowed similar deadlines to pass without enforcing purse bids, most notably in the case involving welterweight titleholder Rolando Romero and his mandatory challenger Shakhram Giyasov. Romero hasn't fought anyone this year and Giyasov was just beaten decisively in Egypt Saturday by Jack Caterall on the Usyk-Verhoeven undercard.
Meanwhile, back to the 31 year old Davis, 30-0-1, 28 KOs, he fought only once in 2024 and has been inactive since his highly disputed draw with Lamont Roach Jr. in March 2025. That fight had many observers believe that Roach deserved to the decision victory. It was further marred by referee Steve Willis allowing Davis to take a knee in the middle of the action and then go over between the ropes to have his cornerman wipe vasaline away with a towel that was affecting his eyes.
At minimum, Davis should have been penalized what turned out to be a critical point in the scoring.
Davis was to have fought Jake Paul in an exhibition bout last Fall, with Paul outweighing him by over 50 lbs.
However, Davis derailed that opportunity following another domestic violence case last year in Florida. Davis allegedly attacked his ex-girlfriend, Courtney Rossel, twice, who was a cocktail server in a Miami strip club during the early morning hours of October 27, 2025. There is video of the incidents in question and Davis is facing a felony kidnapping and misdemeanor battery charge. The case is still pending in South Florida.
This is part why the WBA had put Davis into "champion in recess status."
The 23 year old Schofield, 19-0, 13 KOs, has not competed since scoring an a devastating first-round knockout over former 130 lb. world champ, Tevin Farmer last June, a bout in which he dropped Farmer twice before the stoppage.
Schofield turned pro as a 17 year old in 2020. is talented, but had fought largely suspect competition up until the Farmer fight, as his father/trainer and advisors have handled him with "bubble wrap" instead of stout competition.
This would be a massive step up, if the Davis bout happens.
