MIAMI — The WBA announced on June 26, 2026, that Gervonta Davis has been placed in champion in recess status. This decision stems from ongoing legal proceedings in the United States involving Davis.

Following this designation, the WBA ordered Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi to fight for the vacant WBA lightweight title. The WBA Championships Committee reviewed Davis's legal situation, determining that his ongoing proceedings could prevent him from fulfilling his championship obligations in the near future. The committee stated, "The Championships Committee of the pioneering organization reviewed Davis' legal situation and reached its decision after determining that the ongoing proceedings could prevent him from fulfilling his championship obligations in the short and medium term." The statement further read, "According to publicly available information, Davis is currently facing pending legal proceedings in the United States that could result in a trial and affect his ability to defend the title within the timeframes established by WBA regulations."

Davis is facing pending legal proceedings in the United States, including accusations of battery and kidnapping by his ex-girlfriend, Courtney Rossel. These allegations relate to an incident on October 27, 2025, at Tootsies, a Miami gentlemen's club. In April 2026, a Maryland judge issued a warrant for Davis's arrest. This warrant was issued after the altercation was considered a potential violation of Davis's probation order in Maryland.

Davis was previously named champion in recess in January 2026 due to an arrest warrant in Miami, but he was reinstated as champion a few months later. In May 2026, Davis was ordered to fight Floyd Schofield, but negotiations for that fight failed to reach an agreement.

Davis holds a professional boxing record of 30 wins, 0 losses, and 1 draw, with 28 knockouts. He captured the WBA (Regular) lightweight title in 2019 after defeating Yuriorkis Gamboa. He made four title defenses before being named the full WBA lightweight champion in 2023, the same year Devin Haney exited the lightweight division. Davis knocked out Frank Martin in the eighth round in June 2024 and fought Lamont Roach to a draw in March 2025.

Why It Matters

The WBA's decision to place Gervonta Davis in champion in recess status directly impacts the championship landscape of the lightweight division. This move establishes a path for a new WBA lightweight champion to be crowned through the ordered fight between Floyd Schofield and Lucas Bahdi, ensuring the title remains active during Davis's legal proceedings. The legal situation, which includes allegations of battery and kidnapping and an arrest warrant for a potential probation violation, affects Davis's ability to compete and defend his title, according to the WBA statement.