In a huge U-turn, Jake Paul seems to have abandoned plans to face heavyweight Anthony Joshua in 2026, and will instead face lightweight Gervonta Davis later this year.
Jake Paul made his career-lightest weight in 2023 when he lost to Tommy Fury. He weighed 183.75 pounds, and has since teetered around the 200-pound mark for his latest few fights.
Gervonta Davis, meanwhile, weighed his career heaviest in 2023, when he stopped Ryan Garcia whilst weighing 135 pounds.
This means that after much talk on fighting Anthony Joshua, a heavyweight, Paul will instead face a man he has more than 50 pounds over, and stands more than seven inches taller than.
Despite the size disadvantage, even Tank’s biggest rival in Shakur Stevenson believes Davis will win for one reason.
Shakur Stevenson thinks Tank’s skill will bridge the size gap against Jake Paul
In an interview with TMZ, Stevenson was asked about the size difference in the upcoming fight, to which he said,
“Size will play some part in the fight but if I’m thinking like I’m Tank I’m gonna go out there and try to outbox him and use my knowledge and IQ against him. I can just see Tank outboxing him and making it look easy.”
Stevenson refused to accept that there was any way Paul could win against the smaller man, but does however believe Paul’s size will make it hard for Davis to knock him out,
“[Tank wins] by decision, I mean [Jake’s] too big, I don’t think that he’s just gonna knock that guy out. I see him outboxing him.”
Stevenson also maintained that he will not be watching the fight.
Davis is coming off a controversial draw with Lamont Roach Jr., and is taking the Paul fight instead of a risky rematch against his former amateur rival.
Paul, meanwhile, recently defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis will pit size against skill
Ahead of the curveball fight announcement, which was posted and swiftly deleted by Netflix Turkey, it is worth taking a look at the stats of both fighters, to see who really is facing the uphill battle.
| Jake Paul | Gervonta Davis | ||
| Age | 28 | 30 | |
| Height | 6’1″ | 5’5.5″ | 7.5 inches difference |
| Career heaviest weight | 227.25lbs | 135lbs | 92.25lbs difference |
| Record | 12-1 | 30-0-1 | |
| Best win | Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. | Ryan Garcia |
Though the age old boxing saying is ‘a good big guy beats a good little guy’, this fight will surely have people talking on account of the fact many do not believe Paul is a good boxer.
Davis is clearly levels above in terms of skill, though has never faced anyone quite as big as Paul. Fans have roasted Paul vs Davis, as it follows the trend of Paul yet again picking fighters at a severe age or size disadvantage.
A fight simulation predicts Davis will KO Paul.
The fight will be an exhibition bout, so whatever happens it will not affect either man’s professional record.