Fight fans are eagerly awaiting news on the return of Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis, who is expected to make his comeback in early 2027 and now the Baltimore knockout artist has been called out for a clash for his old title.
Davis was stripped of the WBA lightweight world title earlier this year and instead named as the ‘champion-in-recess’, a position which allows him to secure a challenge for the full belt upon his return.
Meanwhile, the vacant WBA crown was claimed on Saturday night by fellow American 135lber, Floyd Schofield, who got the better of Lucas Bahdi via unanimous-decision (116-110, 119-108, 115-111) at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago.
During the aftermath of that win, Schofield’s promoter Oscar De La Hoya was quizzed on a potential match-up between ‘Kid Austin’ and Davis by Fight Hub TV and he admitted that he is keen to make the fight, if Davis wishes to attempt to reclaim his former strap.
“This is boxing, the best have to fight the best. If Tank comes back, let’s make Tank Davis. Why not? I was a fighter, man. Let’s go, let’s make the best fights happen!”
The onus will be on Davis to confirm his interest and thus become Schofield’s mandatory challenger, but recent rumours of possible comeback bouts against George Kambosos and Stephen Fulton mean that he may forego his chance to challenge for Schofield’s title.
As Schofield won the title whilst it was vacant, he will not be permitted for a voluntary defence of the WBA lightweight world title. Instead, should Davis decline the opportunity to become the mandatory challenger, former WBA super-lightweight world champion, Jose ‘El Rayo’ Valenzuela is likely to take up that position – as he is next in line in the WBA lightweight ratings.
