Fight fans across the globe are eagerly awaiting news regarding the highly anticipated return of Gervonta “Tank” Davis, who is widely expected to make his long-awaited comeback to the boxing ring in early 2027. The undefeated knockout artist from Baltimore has captured the imagination of the sport for years with his explosive punching power and innate ability to turn fights around in a single moment. Now, as discussions surrounding his next career move intensify, the heavy-handed American star has officially been called out for a high-stakes clash that could see him immediately contest for his old world championship.
The landscape of the lightweight division shifted earlier this year when Davis was stripped of the WBA lightweight world title. Rather than completely severing his ties with the governing body, the organization designated him as the “champion-in-recess,” a prestigious administrative position designed to allow elite fighters time away from the sport while retaining certain privileges upon their return. Crucially, this status grants Davis the right to secure an immediate challenge for the full belt the moment he decides to step back through the ropes and resume his career at 135 pounds.
Meanwhile, the division has not stood still in his absence. The vacant WBA crown was fiercely contested and ultimately claimed on Saturday night by fellow American lightweight standout Floyd Schofield. Demonstrating superb technical skill, poise, and conditioning, “Kid Austin” put on a stellar performance at the Wintrust Arena in Chicago, successfully getting the better of a tough and determined Lucas Bahdi. After twelve rounds of compelling action, the judges handed down a clear and definitive unanimous decision in favor of Schofield, with scorecards reading 116-110, 119-108, and 115-111, cementing his arrival at the very pinnacle of the sport and wrapping the coveted WBA strap around his waist.
In the immediate aftermath of that career-defining victory, attention naturally turned toward what lies ahead for the newly crowned champion. Schofield’s promoter, Hall of Fame legend Oscar De La Hoya, was quizzed on a potential blockbuster match-up between “Kid Austin” and the returning Gervonta Davis during an interview with Fight Hub TV. Showing the ambitious promotional mindset that defined both his legendary career inside the ring and his subsequent success outside of it, De La Hoya did not hesitate to express his enthusiasm. He openly admitted that he is more than keen to make the fight happen, provided Davis wishes to step up and attempt to reclaim his former strap from the division’s newest ruler.
Reflecting the timeless ethos of prizefighting at its highest level, De La Hoya offered a straightforward and passionate assessment of why the prospective bout makes total sense for the sport. This is boxing, he emphasized, pointing out that the absolute best fighters must always step into the ring to face the absolute best competition. If Tank comes back and wants what was once his, De La Hoya signaled that the promotional machinery would gladly roll forward to put the pieces together. He remarked that he was a fighter himself, driven by the desire for great challenges, and urged the boxing world to embrace the mindset of making the biggest and best fights happen rather than letting them drift away.
Despite the excitement generated by De La Hoya’s public callout, the ultimate onus remains firmly on Davis and his promotional team to confirm their genuine interest in the matchup. Should Davis formally pursue the bout, he would instantly step into the position of Schofield’s mandatory challenger, setting the stage for one of the most commercially viable and fascinating domestic showdowns in modern boxing.
However, recent rumors of possible alternative comeback bouts for Davis complicate the immediate roadmap of the lightweight division. Speculation has circulated regarding potential fights against former unified champion George Kambosos and former multi-weight world titleholder Stephen Fulton. If Davis elects to pursue these alternative paths for his return, he may ultimately choose to forego his immediate chance to challenge for Schofield’s newly won title, leaving the WBA crown in other hands as he eases himself back into championship competition.
The regulatory framework of the WBA also introduces specific timelines and obligations for the division moving forward. Because Schofield captured the title while it was vacant, boxing regulations dictate that he will not be permitted to take a voluntary defense of the WBA lightweight world championship for his next outing. Instead, the rules require him to face the highest-ranked available contender in the organization’s ratings.
Should Davis officially decline the opportunity to step up as the mandatory challenger, the path will clear for a different elite contender to stake his claim. In that scenario, former WBA super-lightweight world champion Jose “El Rayo” Valenzuela is widely expected to take up that mandatory position. Valenzuela sits next in line within the latest WBA lightweight ratings, ensuring that whoever ultimately stands across the ring from Schofield will be a stern, world-class test of his championship credentials. For now, the division waits in suspense as boxing fans across the globe anticipate Davis’s next move and the official confirmation of his 2027 comeback plans.
