Oscar De La Hoya confirms negotiations as WBA status could force immediate mandatory defense at lightweight
Gervonta Davis is nearing a return, with Floyd Schofield now in line as talks prepare to open. His WBA status at lightweight could force a mandatory defense as soon as he steps back into the ring.
Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) has not fought since March 2025, when he retained his WBA lightweight title with a disputed draw against Lamont Roach. The WBA later moved him to “champion in recess” status following a stretch of inactivity and off-ring issues, including domestic violence allegations made by his former partner, Courtney Rossel. Those claims also led to his removal from a planned exhibition with Jake Paul last November.
The Baltimore fighter has recently hinted at a comeback, mentioning Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz as a possible opponent at 140lbs. A return at lightweight, though, could bring him straight into a mandatory situation with top contender Floyd Schofield (18-0, 12 KOs).
De La Hoya confirmed discussions are expected to start soon, while questioning whether Schofield is ready for that step.
“There will be real talks happening very soon. If ‘Kid Austin’ wants to go after ‘Tank’ then, me as a promoter, that’s what I have to get him,” said Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya to Fight Hub TV.
“As a promoter, I still feel that I would give him one more fight and then go after ‘Tank’. But if he wants it right away, let’s go.
“It wouldn’t be the right decision in my eyes, but if the father and the kid want it, then that’s what I’ll have to push for.
“I’m not sure exactly what ‘Tank’ Davis is doing, but I did hear he does want to fight in the third quarter of this year.”
Schofield has been out of the ring since June, when he stopped Tevin Farmer in the first round in what stands as the biggest win of his career so far.