Despite Floyd Schofield holding the WBA’s #1 ranking, there has been little indication that the sanctioning body plans to order him into a fight with Davis. Instead, attention has shifted back to Cruz, who pushed Davis hard in their 2021 fight and became one of the few opponents to hear the final bell against him.

A source connected to the situation told BoxingScene that Premier Boxing Champions is aiming for Davis to return in the early fall, with Cruz viewed as the leading candidate.

“While exercising caution on the timing, PBC is aiming for the legally troubled three-division champion Davis, 30-0-1 (28 KOs), to return to the ring by the early fall,” said Pugmire.

“It would be the Baltimore fighter’s first bout since his WBA lightweight title fight draw at New York’s Barclays Center versus Roach, who was deprived of a knockdown (and victory) by referee Steve Willis.

“Although De La Hoya on Friday strongly proposed unbeaten and WBA top-ranked contender Floyd Schofield for a Davis bout, another official more connected to the PBC situation said Mexico’s former 140lbs champion Isaac ‘Pitbull’ Cruz is the most likely opponent at this hour.”

Davis called for a rematch with Cruz late last year after their competitive first fight in December 2021. Cruz lost by unanimous decision but earned praise for pressing Davis over twelve rounds and forcing him into one of the toughest nights of his career.

If Davis and Cruz move ahead with a second fight, Schofield could instead be pushed toward a vacant WBA title fight against Lucas Bahdi.