Gervonta Davis has been officially removed from the World Boxing News Pound for Pound Top 50 after agreeing to face YouTuber-turned-fighter Jake Paul in a Netflix exhibition.
‘Tank’ had been holding firm at number ten in the WBN rankings, but with his next outing confirmed as a non-professional bout on November 14, his position is no longer tenable.
The Baltimore star has not fought since his March 1 draw with Lamont Roach, and WBN considered dropping Davis down the ratings in the coming weeks unless Davis agreed to the rematch. But with no sanctioned fight scheduled within twelve months of a draw, WBN agreed unanimously on his removal.
Jake Paul, who is 12-1 as a professional and coming off his decision win over Mike Tyson, will share the ring with Davis in what organizers are billing as a ‘historic Netflix crossover.’
However, the bout has zero relevance to the professional scene, and the fact that Davis accepted the offer over defending his lightweight or super lightweight standing has prompted swift action.
World Boxing News Pound for Pound Rankings
New WBN Top 10
1| Oleksandr USYK
2| Naoya INOUE
3| Terence CRAWFORD
4| Dmitry BIVOL
5| Jesse RODRIGUEZ
6| Junto NAKATANI
7| Artur BETERBIEV
8| CANELO Alvarez
9| Shakur STEVENSON
10| Devin HANEY
Devin Haney replaces Davis in the Top Ten, regaining a spot among the elite after moving to welterweight and lining up a huge WBO defense against Brian Norman Jr.
Davis vs Paul fallout
Many fans have criticized the Davis vs Paul matchup as a money grab, accusing Davis, the 135-pounder, of following Floyd Mayweather’s path into exhibitions far too early in his career.
Others defended him, citing the generational payday Netflix provides.
But for those who ranked Davis among the elite of world boxing, the move is a body blow.
The WBN Pound for Pound ratings are recognized as among the most consistent in the sport, taking into account wins, activity, belts held, and the manner of victories.
By stepping away from the real fight game, even temporarily, Davis sacrifices not just a Top 10 place but also the chance to keep building his legacy.
Oleksandr Usyk remains the number one fighter on the planet. However, the formidable Ukrainian can be overtaken by Terence Crawford if ‘Bud’ becomes a five-weight world champion and two-weight undisputed ruler when he faces Canelo Alvarez on September 14.
About the Author
Phil Jay is a veteran boxing journalist with over 15 years of experience covering the global fight scene. As Editor-in-Chief of World Boxing News since 2010, Jay has interviewed dozens of world champions and reported ringside on boxing’s biggest nights. [View all articles by Phil Jay] and learn more about his work in combat sports journalism.