Davis-Romero official for December 5th at Staples Center

Romero was named mandatory challenger after the WBA vacated all interim titles

We knew it was coming, but now we have the deets. WBA “world” lightweight champion Gervonta Davis is officially set to defend his title against former interim champion Rolando Romero atop a December 5th Showtime PPV at Staples Center.

Tickets go on sale this coming Thursday (Oct. 21st).

This digital-turned-analog grudge match came about thanks to the WBA’s newfound efforts at belt reduction. Davis (25-0, 24 KO) was forced to vacate his super featherweight belt, while Romero (14-0, 12 KO) was one of many interim titlists stripped and named mandatory challengers. The two Mayweather acolytes have made no secret of their disdain for one another, and while a lot of boxing feuds turn out to be more Beyond Meat than actual beef, this feels legit.

Even if it isn’t, these are two men with 36 knockouts in 39 combined wins. Davis decisively beat down a towering super lightweight in Mario Barrios this past June, while Romero crushed the never-before-stopped Avery Sparrow and the historically durable Anthony Yigit to bounce back from his questionable decision over Jackson Marinez.

I can think of worse ways to spend a Sunday evening.