Gervonta Davis ordered to defend world title against unbeaten contender after 14-month hiatus

Gervonta Davis must lock horns with Floyd Schofield if he hopes to keep hold of his WBA lightweight title.

On Saturday, the major sanctioning body ordered the Baltimore boxer to defend his black and gold belt against No.1-ranked contender Schofield.

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Both parties now have until June 22 to reach an agreement.

If they cannot, then a purse bid will be called to determine the fight’s promoter via an open auction.

Davis is represented by Al Haymon’s PBC, while Schofield is promoted by Oscar De La Hoya’s Golden Boy.

When was Gervonta Davis’ last fight?

Davis (30-0-1) hasn’t set foot in the ring since his controversial draw with Lamont Roach in March 2025.

Roach was wrongly denied a knockdown in the ninth round that would have won him the fight on the scorecards.

Rather than pursue a rematch with Roach, ‘Tank’ signed to fight Jake Paul in an exhibition bout.

However, the contest was cancelled after Davis’ ex-partner filed a civil lawsuit alleging domestic abuse.

A two-week manhunt ensued before he was eventually apprehended in January on charges of aggravated battery, false imprisonment, and attempted kidnapping.

Davis subsequently posted an $8,500 bond and is now planning to make his return in the early autumn (September).

PBC is exercising caution on locking in an exact date amidst Davis’ legal troubles.

A rematch with Isaac Cruz had been up for consideration.

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But if he chooses to pursue that route, then he will be stripped of his 135lbs world title.

Who is Floyd Schofield?

Schofield (19-0) last fought in June 2025 when he blew away former IBF super featherweight champion Tevin Farmer in just 78 seconds.

Before his career-best win, Schofield had been matched with Shakur Stevenson on the Artur Beterbiev vs Dmitry Bivol undercard in February of the same year.

The bout was cancelled three days before fight night after Schofield fell ill.

Josh Padley stepped in to replace Schofield and was subsequently stopped in the ninth round.

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