Gervonta Davis has been confirmed as the sole WBA world champion, with the distinction between ‘regular’ and ‘super’ titles being eliminated by the sanctioning body. Davis, who previously held the WBA ‘regular’ title, has now been promoted to the status of singular world champion, challenging the narrative that he was a world champion title in the first place.
The WBA’s decision to introduce ‘regular’ and ‘super’ titles implied that the ‘super’ champion was the true world champion. At 135 lbs, Devin Haney (31-0, 15 KO’s) held the ‘super’ champion title for approximately two years, but with his relinquishment of all lightweight titles, the WBA ‘super’ title has also been vacated.
In response, the WBA opted to eliminate the ‘super’ and ‘regular’ titles, promoting Gervonta Davis (29-0, 27 KO’s)―who was known as the WBA ‘regular’ champion at lightweight―to become the singular world champion without these designations. Ironically, Davis, who once accused Haney of being an ’email champion’, now seems to bear the same unofficial title in the boxing world; reserved for those who acquire world titles without winning them in the ring.
While the ‘regular’ and ‘super’ champion labels theoretically suggest two world champions, the WBA’s decision to create these labels has only added confusion. Logically, there can only be one world champion per sanctioning body, and no other sanctioning body follows the same method, thus underscoring the questionable legitimacy of the ‘regular’ title.
This move by the WBA affirms that 2024 marks the true date on which Gervonta Davis became a world champion, rather than when he won the WBA ‘regular’ lightweight title after defeating Yuriorkis Gamboa in 2019.
The future of Davis’s title defense remains uncertain following his promotion to world champion. Typically, the promotion to world champion comes with the condition of facing a high-rated contender within the sanctioning body’s rankings. Isaac Cruz (25-2-1, 17 KO’s), the #1-ranked Mexican contender, and William Zepeda (29-0, 25 KO’s), the #2-ranked Mexican contender, are potential opponents for Davis to legitimize his title.
However, with the existence of the ‘super’ and ‘regular’ labels alone, the WBA has demonstrated some inadequacy in creating and enforcing rules that truly benefit the sport. Consequently, it is not anticipated that Davis will be compelled to face any of the mentioned opponents. There is a real possibility that Davis might choose to face one of them voluntarily―particularly Cruz who is signed to the same management company/promoter in the PBC as Davis, but without the WBA mandating him to fight a contender to legitimize his title.
