Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis is ready to throw his boxing career in the trash by facing YouTuber-turned-fighter, Jake Paul, in an exhibition bout.
According to Ring Magazine, Paul and Davis are closing in on a November 15 event at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, live on Netflix.
The revelation comes after talks for Paul to face Anthony Joshua collapsed, leaving many to wonder if that fight was ever going to happen. If Paul proposed an exhibition to AJ, that may well have been the straw that broke the camel’s back, but sadly not for Davis.
Paul, who campaigns as high as 200 pounds, now meets a 135-pound world champion in what many see as one of boxing’s most bizarre matchups yet.
Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis backlash
The backlash was immediate and fierce.
Former world champion turned analyst Sergio Mora ripped into the announcement, pointing out Davis’s lost opportunities.
“No rematch with Roach. No showdown with Shakur. No clash with Keyshawn or Cruz! Instead, we get Tank vs Disney star,” Mora posted on X.
Promoter Lou DiBella didn’t hold back either, questioning the very concept of what Davis had signed up for.
“Please clarify: ‘What the f*** does ‘exhibition bout’ even mean in boxing? And who asked for this s***? And just f***ing why?” he raged.
The move signals a dramatic shift in direction for Davis, who until recently was considered one of the premier pound-for-pound talents in the sport.
Instead of cementing his legacy with elite fights against Shakur Stevenson, a rematch with Isaac Cruz, or Keyshawn Davis, the Baltimore star has opted for what critics describe as a ‘cash grab sideshow.’
Davis is risking his career and reputation
The timing could not be worse for Davis’s reputation. Only months ago, his draw with Lamont Roach had fans demanding a run of meaningful fights and questioning his desire.
Now, by stepping into the Netflix entertainment lane, Davis is accused of throwing his career trajectory into the abyss.
World Boxing News understands that the Paul fight will be marketed as a spectacle and falls into the same category as the Mike Tyson fight.
However, the logistics of a world champion dropping down in class from genuine matchups to face a social media star weighing over 200 pounds are already leaving a sour taste across the sport.
The primary focus now is on the weight agreement, and if it gets over the line at all.
For Jake Paul, it’s another chance to cross over into mainstream boxing, but again without any credibility whatsoever. Facing a boxer 65 pounds lighter than him is one of the worst moves any boxer who wants any shred of dignity attached to his career could make.
For Davis, the entire charade risks being the night a once great and potential future Hall of Famer chose Netflix over greatness.
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.