CHICAGO — Floyd Schofield claimed the vacant WBA lightweight world title on Saturday night, securing a unanimous-decision victory over Lucas Bahdi at the Wintrust Arena. The judges scored the bout 116-110, 119-108, and 115-111 in favour of the American, who now holds the belt previously stripped from Gervonta Davis.
Following the match, promoter Oscar De La Hoya expressed his desire to arrange a bout between the new champion and Davis. “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!” De La Hoya told Fight Hub TV.
Davis was previously designated as the WBA ‘champion-in-recess’, a status that entitles him to challenge for the full title upon his return to the ring, which is expected in early 2027. The onus now rests with Davis to confirm his interest and formalise his position as the mandatory challenger for Schofield’s crown.
Should Davis decline the opportunity, the WBA mandate dictates that the next fighter in the ratings will step forward. As Schofield won the title while it was vacant, he is prohibited from making a voluntary defence, meaning former WBA super-lightweight world champion Jose ‘El Rayo’ Valenzuela is the likely candidate to fill the mandatory position.