Gervonta Davis won't be the only WBA super featherweight world champion defending his title on February 9, 2019.
A report by Boxing Scene stated that Alberto Machado, who holds the WBA "regular" version of the 130-pound world title, is preparing for his next title defense. That title defense is taking place at the Fantasy Springs Casino in Indio, California.
No opponent has been officially announced, but Golden Boy Promotions is looking at Andrew Cancio as a possible opponent. Machado does have a mandatory challenger in Rene Alvarado, who won a title eliminator against Carlos Morales in the main event of a boxing card streamed on Facebook on December 8. Alvarado is currently recovering from cuts sustained in the fight and will reportedly not be ready to fight in February.
This will be Machado's third world title defense since knocking out Jezreel Corrales in 2017. In 2018, Machado defended his title with a wide unanimous decision win over Rafael Mensah in July and then knocked out Yuandale Evans in the first round of their fight back in October.
After losing to Joseph Diaz in 2016, Cancio did not fight for more than 18 months but returned in April to stop Aidar Sharibayev in the 10th round to win the WBA Intercontinental title. Cancio is ranked No. 10 by the WBA at super featherweight.
Davis, who holds the WBA "super" super featherweight title, is set to defend his title against three-division champion Abner Mares on February 9 in the main event of a Showtime-televised card at the Staples Center.
