Gervonta Davis has vacated his WBA Super 130lbs crown as the sanctioning body’s simplification of its world title belt system continues apace.
Baltimore star Davis had simultaneously held WBA belts at 130lbs (Super), 135lbs (Regular) and 140lbs (Regular) in the organisation’s baffling three-tier world title system (Super, Regular and Interim).
After Davis’ abdication, Venezuelan Roger Gutierrez, previously the Regular belt holder, is now the WBA’s sole champion at super-featherweight. Gutierrez has been mandated to meet former Interim belt holder Chris Colbert next.
Meanwhile, Davis can hold onto both his 135lbs and 140lbs belts until after his next fight, expected later this year, WBA President Gilberto Mendoza informed ESPN.com’s Mike Coppinger. Forty-eight hours after that bout, Davis will have to relinquish one of those belts (assuming he is victorious) and effectively decide which weight class he will campaign in after recently hopping between the divisions.
After years of confusion, the WBA is finally cleaning up its act and simplifying its world title picture following Interim 147lbs champion Gabriel Maestre’s highly controversial points win over Mykal Foz earlier this month. All Interim title belts were subsequently dissolved as the WBA moves to a one-division, one-champion system to the relief of most boxing fans.
Main image: Esther Lin/Showtime.