Jake Paul’s rise from internet celebrity to professional boxer has been anything but conventional. His latest announcement—an exhibition fight against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in 2025—might have surprised some, but according to his camp, this move has been in the works for quite some time. While Davis wasn’t the original plan, he was always in the picture, and now, he’s at the center of Jake Paul’s next chapter in the ring.
Pivoting from Canelo to Davis
Jake Paul's team initially had its sights set on boxing superstar Canelo Álvarez. Negotiations and interest were real, but the timing wasn’t on Paul’s side. When Canelo signed a multi-fight deal with another promotion, those plans dissolved. Rather than stall, Paul's team, led by his manager and Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian, shifted their energy toward a different high-profile opponent: Gervonta Davis.
Despite public speculation that the Davis bout was a last-minute idea, Bidarian has clarified that the fight had been envisioned as a long-term move. He emphasized that the deal wasn’t a reaction to the Canelo breakdown but had been under discussion and development for quite some time. According to Bidarian, their internal plans always had Davis pegged as the 2025 target.
Why Gervonta Davis Makes Sense
The matchup between Paul and Davis isn’t typical by any stretch. Davis, a lightweight world champion who fights around 135 pounds, will be facing Paul, who has fought as heavy as 200 pounds. But the planned bout is an exhibition, allowing for more flexibility in terms of weight classes and rules.
Davis is one of boxing’s most exciting stars—undefeated, explosive, and a legitimate pay-per-view draw. From a promotional standpoint, pairing Davis with Paul, who commands massive attention through social media and crossover fans, is a win-win. The fight is expected to be streamed on Netflix, drawing in both boxing purists and casual viewers.
“First David, Then Goliath”
Jake Paul himself helped stir the narrative when he tweeted, “First David, then Goliath,” referring to his planned sequence of fights. Davis, symbolizing “David” due to his smaller size, is the immediate challenge. But Paul’s ultimate goal appears to be Anthony Joshua—“Goliath”—the former heavyweight champion.
A fight with Joshua may seem far-fetched to traditional boxing fans, but Paul has made a career of turning the improbable into reality. His trajectory, marked by unconventional matchups and strategic media moves, makes the Joshua fight at least a plausible, if distant, possibility.
The Fallout from Julio César Chávez Jr.
Jake Paul’s most recent fight before the Davis announcement was a high-profile matchup against Julio César Chávez Jr., which Paul won by unanimous decision. The fight took place in June and was considered a strong showing by Paul, as Chávez Jr. was the most experienced and credentialed boxer he had faced to date.
But soon after the bout, Chávez Jr. became embroiled in one of the biggest scandals in Mexican sports history. He was arrested in the United States and deported to Mexico after being implicated in a criminal investigation involving cartel activity. Allegedly tied to the Sinaloa Cartel, Chávez Jr. was accused of acting as a violent enforcer for the organization, using his status and physique to carry out brutal beatings on behalf of cartel leaders.
Mexican media exploded with coverage. Some journalists painted him as a fallen national hero, while others demanded accountability and questioned how long his alleged activities had been shielded by his fame and family name. The Chávez family, especially his legendary father Julio César Chávez Sr., faced intense scrutiny.
For Jake Paul, the fallout created a surreal twist in his boxing narrative. What was intended to be a career-validating win suddenly became entangled with one of the sport’s darkest chapters. It also underscored how unpredictable and volatile boxing can be—not just in the ring, but in the lives of those who step into it.
The Strategic Value of an Exhibition
Critics of the Paul-Davis matchup point to the massive weight difference as a dealbreaker. After all, boxing has always enforced strict regulations around weight classes for the sake of fairness and safety. But because the bout is being framed as an exhibition, it offers Paul and Davis more room to experiment without affecting their official records.
This approach allows Paul to elevate his public persona while preparing for even bigger matchups down the road. It also gives Davis a lucrative opportunity to engage with an entirely new fanbase without compromising his standing as a legitimate world champion.
Positioning for 2026 and Beyond
While the 2025 fight with Davis is set to be a spectacle, Paul’s team insists it’s part of a larger, more calculated journey. The Anthony Joshua bout is still on their radar, tentatively envisioned for 2026. If Paul can impress against Davis—even in an exhibition format—it will bolster his credibility as someone who belongs in the same conversation as top-tier boxers, at least in the eyes of his fans and the broader media landscape.
Paul’s fighting style has improved since his early influencer boxing days. His record, while not against elite competition, is nonetheless impressive considering his lack of amateur background. With each fight, he gains legitimacy, and if the Davis bout draws major attention and solid performance, it could set the stage for his next evolution as a boxer.
What This Means for Boxing
Jake Paul’s influence on boxing is impossible to ignore. While some fans and traditionalists remain critical of his crossover presence, there’s no denying the numbers he generates. He brings eyeballs to a sport that’s often struggled to maintain mainstream relevance.
Gervonta Davis is no stranger to spotlight either. Together, they represent two of the most marketable names in boxing—one from the traditional route, and one from the disruptive, influencer-led path. Their meeting in 2025 could mark a turning point in how boxing is consumed, promoted, and perceived.
A Pivotal Year Ahead
The upcoming months will be pivotal for all players involved:
- Jake Paul will be training and positioning for the Davis exhibition while keeping the Joshua goal in mind.
- Gervonta Davis will likely balance traditional bouts with preparation for the spectacle.
- Anthony Joshua will watch from the sidelines, possibly waiting for a final chapter with Paul.
Meanwhile, the boxing world continues to react to the Chávez Jr. saga, a painful reminder of the darker intersections between sports, celebrity, and crime.
As Paul forges ahead, it’s clear that his roadmap is about more than just fights—it’s about creating moments, building storylines, and expanding the definition of what it means to be a modern fighter. From “David” to “Goliath,” from influencers to world champions, Jake Paul is navigating the sport on his own terms—and whether you love him or hate him, he’s forcing the world to pay attention.
