Gervonta Davis now in ‘advanced talks’ to face former champion: “I expect it to happen” | Boxing News

Gervonta Davis is reportedly targeting a ring return this summer, with a rematch against a former world champion at 140lbs looking like a genuine possibility.
The 31-year-old has not fought since his controversial draw with Lamont Roach, who felt aggrieved to not come away with a shock victory in March 2025.
Later that year, ‘Tank’ was reportedly in talks to enter an immediate rematch with Roach, only to instead pursue an exhibition bout with Jake Paul.
That opportunity, however, fell by the wayside after Davis was hit with a civil lawsuit, causing Paul to instead face Anthony Joshua in December.
It was then revealed at the beginning of this year that Davis had been issued an arrest warrant on account of charges relating to battery, false imprisonment and attempted kidnapping.
As a result, the hard-hitting southpaw was stripped of his WBA world lightweight title but became the sanctioning body’s ‘champion in recess’, meaning he could potentially be reinstated as the full champion at 135lbs.
However, the Ring Magazine’s Mike Coppinger has reported that Davis is exploring a rematch with Isaac Cruz, who he unanimously outpointed in 2021, at 140lbs.
“I am told that [Gervonta Davis] is in advanced talks right now to fight a rematch against Pitbull Cruz that would be at 140, rather than 135 like the first fight, this summer. I expect it to happen.”
Despite Davis claiming a unanimous decision victory, many believe that Cruz gave the Baltimore man one of his toughest tests as a professional, with Roach representing the only other man to take him the full 12-round distance.
As for him reportedly moving up to super-lightweight, where he scored an 11th-round finish over Mario Barrios in 2021, it opens up fights against the likes of Keyshawn Davis.