Tank Davis return takes shape, Bam Rodriguez-Inoue buzz builds

Gervonta Davis appears headed for a showdown with Floyd Schofield in the third quarter of 2026, according to ESPN, though the three-division champion's legal troubles remain a significant obstacle to any deal being finalized.

The WBA recently named Davis a champion in recess and ordered him to face Schofield, with the two sides given a Monday deadline to reach terms before the fight goes to purse bid. Golden Boy CEO Oscar De La Hoya, who promotes Schofield, has expressed interest in making the lightweight clash happen later this year. But Davis is wanted by Maryland law enforcement after allegedly violating probation following a January arrest on domestic violence charges, and a motion to recall an active warrant was denied in late May.

Rodriguez stoppage sets up potential Inoue megafight

Jesse Rodriguez moved up to bantamweight and stopped Antonio Vargas in the sixth round Saturday to claim the WBA title and become a three-division champion, sparking immediate talk of a superfight with undisputed junior featherweight king Naoya Inoue. Matchroom's Eddie Hearn told ESPN that the Inoue fight would be hard to pass up if Rodriguez impressed at 118 pounds, and the performance delivered. Rodriguez dropped Vargas hard in the fourth round before finishing him with a straight left at the end of a four-punch combination two rounds later.

Trainer Robert Garcia had suggested Rodriguez take another fight at bantamweight, likely against WBO titleholder Christian Medina, before moving up to face Inoue. But with the Japanese star considering a jump to featherweight, the timing for a Rodriguez matchup is now. Hearn voiced reservations about Rodriguez taking an October or November defence, noting that Inoue isn't keen to wait. "I'm ready for whoever, whenever," Rodriguez said after his sixth straight stoppage. "Put them in front of me, and I'm going to say yes."

Elsewhere, WBA welterweight champion Rolando Romero has been inactive since his upset win over Ryan Garcia in May 2025, with talks for a unification fight reportedly in the works. Romero had been linked to bouts with Manny Pacquiao and Devin Haney, but nothing has materialized. ESPN identified Mikaela Mayer versus Chantelle Cameron on August 29 as the best upcoming matchup on the current schedule, with junior middleweight titles on the line.

Source: espn.com