Boxing fans now have a clear path to the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight championship. The WBA officially ordered top contenders Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi to clash for the title, following the designation of Gervonta “Tank” Davis as “Champion in Recess” on June 26, 2026.
This decision, announced after months of swirling uncertainty, puts the 135-pound division’s number one and number two contenders in line for a career-defining showdown. It stems directly from Davis’s ongoing legal troubles, which the WBA determined would prevent him from defending his belt.
Gervonta Davis’s title reign officially pauses
Gervonta Davis, a three-weight division champion, has been embroiled in legal difficulties for some time. The WBA cited these issues, which include a civil lawsuit filed by ex-girlfriend Courtney Rossel on October 30, 2025, as the primary reason for his “Champion in Recess” status.
Rossel’s lawsuit accuses Davis of aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, stemming from an alleged incident at Tootsie’s Cabaret in Miami on October 27, 2025. Miami Gardens Police Department and the U.S. Marshals Service Fugitive Task Force arrested Davis on January 28, 2026.
The WBA Championships Committee, reviewing Davis’s legal situation, applied championship rules C.21, C.22, and C.27, alongside provisions of the WBA Code of Ethics. This move supersedes any previous rulings regarding the boxer’s championship status.
Davis, with an impressive 30-0-1 record and 28 KOs, last fought in March 2025, where he was held to a majority draw by Lamont Roach Jr. in Brooklyn, New York. Should he resolve his legal challenges and return to active competition, the WBA has guaranteed him an immediate shot at whoever holds his former belt.
Undefeated contenders step up for vacant belt
With Davis temporarily out of the picture, two undefeated powerhouses are now set to vie for the coveted WBA lightweight strap. Floyd Schofield, known as “Kid Austin,” stands as the WBA’s No. 1 contender.
The 23-year-old American boasts a flawless 19-0 record with 13 knockouts, holding additional rankings as WBO No. 9, IBF No. 13, and The Ring No. 6. His last impressive outing saw him knock out Tevin Farmer in the first round in June 2025.
Schofield has expressed frustration in the past about the instability surrounding title fights. In March 2026, he voiced anger over a reported cancellation of a previous title bout against Bahdi, hinting at boxing politics and questioning the system. Now, he finally gets his chance.
Across from him in this championship pursuit is Lucas Bahdi, the WBA’s No. 2 contender. The 32-year-old Canadian, hailing from Niagara Falls, Ontario, also brings an unblemished record of 20-0 with 18 knockouts.
Bahdi has significant backing and an impressive resume of his own. He holds rankings including WBC No. 11, WBO No. 13, IBF No. 12, and The Ring No. 8 in the 135lb division. His July 2024 highlight-reel knockout of Ashton Sylve earned him 2024 Knockout of the Year recognitions.
Bahdi followed that up with a points victory over Roger Gutierrez in a 12-round WBA elimination bout in August 2025. He also outpointed Ryan James Racaza in March 2025, showcasing his ability to go the distance.
Camps push for swift agreement
Both fighters’ camps are keen to expedite the process and avoid a drawn-out purse bid scenario. Schofield took to social media to signal his urgency.
“Lucas Bahdi and Most Valuable Promotions only have a week left to reach an agreement or on to the purse bid,” Schofield posted, indicating a tight negotiation window. This sentiment reflects the desire to secure the fight without further delays.
Phil Lo Greco, Bahdi’s manager and a former professional boxer, emphasized his fighter’s patience and readiness. “Lucas has been patiently waiting for this fight for over six months,” Lo Greco told World Boxing News exclusively.
Lo Greco expressed significant respect for Schofield, acknowledging his opponent’s strength and talent. But he underlined Bahdi’s commitment, stating his fighter will be in the best shape of his life. “He’s excited to finally get this opportunity and can’t wait to put on a great performance for the fans,” Lo Greco added.
Lo Greco and adviser David Itskowitch have reportedly worked tirelessly to get Bahdi to this stage. “David Itskowitch and I did our part as manager and adviser to get Lucas to this stage,” Lo Greco confirmed, putting the ball in the promoters’ court.
The road to the WBA lightweight championship
The immediate next step involves Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), with whom Bahdi signed in November 2024, and Schofield’s team reaching an agreement. Schofield is co-promoted by Golden Boy Promotions and is also connected to MVP.
If negotiations falter within the stipulated timeframe, the WBA will open the fight to a purse bid, where promoters can bid for the rights to stage the bout. This often leads to more competitive offers and potentially bigger platforms for the fighters.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a fight between Schofield and Bahdi has been on the cards. In April 2025, there were negotiations for them to face each other on the undercard of a Jake Paul vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. However, that matchup didn’t materialize as a WBA title bout.
Box.Live suggests the potential for Floyd Schofield to face Lucas Bahdi in late 2026 at the Honda Center, Anaheim, for the 12-round Lightweight division title (135 pounds). This rumored venue and timeframe for the championship clash, though not officially confirmed, adds to the anticipation.
Broader implications for the 135-pound division
The WBA’s decisive action to declare Davis “Champion in Recess” provides much-needed clarity in a division often mired in promotional and political complexities. It allows two deserving contenders to compete for a legitimate world title, pushing the lightweight hierarchy forward.
Oscar De La Hoya, the Golden Boy promoter, had previously weighed in on the situation on June 21, 2026. He suggested that Schofield fighting Bahdi for the full world title offered a “cleaner path forward” than waiting for Davis to resolve his issues. His comments appear prescient in light of the WBA’s recent ruling.
The involvement of Most Valuable Promotions, co-founded by Jake Paul, also highlights an evolving dynamic in boxing. MVP’s “fighter-first ethos” and aggressive pursuit of opportunities for their roster, including Bahdi, could mean a high-profile platform for this title fight.
This upcoming bout isn’t just about a title; it’s about momentum and legitimacy. Both Schofield and Bahdi are undefeated, and a win here would not only crown a new WBA champion but also establish one of them as a significant force in a stacked lightweight division, potentially leading to even bigger fights down the line.
For the lightweight division, the vacancy creates an exciting new chapter. With both fighters known for their knockout power, fans can expect an explosive encounter. The winner will inherit a division with several other formidable champions and contenders, ensuring a vibrant competitive landscape for years to come.
