GERVONTA DAVIS stands 5ft 5½ins and weighed in at 133¾ lbs for his last fight. Jake Paul, by contrast, is 6ft 1ins and tipped the scales at 199½ lbs in his most recent outing.
Davis’s previous opponent was Lamont Roach, the WBA super-featherweight champion who had long yearned for a shot on the big stage. He seized it, stepping up to lightweight to face ‘Tank’ in Brooklyn. On the night, Roach deserved the decision but was forced to settle for a draw.
Paul’s last opponent was Julio Cesar Chavez Jr – a man who never came close to his father’s greatness but nonetheless picked up a world middleweight title 14 years ago against Sebastian Zbik. A faded fighter, long past his sell-by date, and a name that should be nowhere near the top level.
Despite the wild disparity between them, Davis and Paul will share a ring this November in an exhibition streamed on Netflix. It’s exactly the kind of circus boxing doesn’t need, yet one the sport always seems ready to embrace.
Why has Davis agreed? The obvious answer is money – and plenty of it. For fighters of his stature, the paydays never seem big enough. Like Canelo Alvarez and Anthony Joshua, Davis knows he can earn millions simply by attaching his name to an event. But instead of defending his world title against Roach in a rematch, chasing undisputed status at lightweight, or moving up to super-lightweight to take on marquee opponents, he has chosen the sideshow route.
Davis, one of boxing’s more controversial figures, has even spoken of retiring by the end of 2025, sounding increasingly like a man falling out of love with the sport. In that light, it’s no surprise he has taken the lucrative path to Jake Paul.
But who could he have fought instead? Here are a selection of opponents that would have made far more sense than Jake Paul.
The rematches
Lamont Roach
Roach was desperately unlucky not to get the nod when he fought Davis in Brooklyn. Their first encounter ended in a draw many felt was unjust. A rematch would allow Davis to silence the doubters while giving Roach the fair shake he deserves.
Isaac Cruz
Cruz gave Davis the toughest night of his career in December 2021. The Mexican pressure-fighter walked through ‘Tank’s’ vaunted power, forcing Davis to rely on his boxing rather than his knockouts. A rematch would give Cruz the chance he’s always demanded, and it would give fans the kind of all-action clash the Paul exhibition never will.
Rolando Romero
The pair met in 2022 with Romero enjoying plenty of success before being caught by a Davis counter left in round six. The ending was dramatic, but also controversial, leaving Romero insisting he was stopped too soon. A second fight would settle the score properly – a storyline that still holds interest. Moving from 135lbs to 147lbs to face the WBA welterweight title holder shouldn’t be used as a reason to say no given what Davis has ahead of him.
The super-fights
Shakur Stevenson
A meeting of pure styles: Stevenson’s defensive brilliance and precision against Davis’s explosive timing and power. It’s a fight for the purists, a pound-for-pound showdown that would crown the best lightweight technician in the world.
Teofimo Lopez
The former lightweight king has since established himself at super-lightweight. His mix of counterpunching and bravado against Davis’s unpredictability would make for an unmissable event. Both men crave marquee nights – this would be one of them.
Ryan Garcia (rematch)
Their first fight was one of the biggest events of 2023. Davis dropped Garcia with a body shot, but the Californian has spent many interviews since calling for redemption. Given Garcia’s huge following and their unfinished business, this would be another blockbuster.
The rising stars
Keyshawn Davis
An Olympic silver medallist with charisma and skills, Keyshawn has been fast-tracked as one of America’s brightest young talents. Facing Tank would be a leap, but one that could usher in a new era. For Gervonta, it would be a chance to silence a rising challenger while cashing in on a new name.
William Zepeda
Unbeaten, relentless, and throwing punches in bunches, Zepeda is one of the most exciting lightweights in the world. His work rate could trouble anyone, even a knockout artist like Davis. If it’s entertainment the fans want, Zepeda is tailor-made.
A trip overseas
Joe Cordina
The Welshman is a former IBF super-featherweight champion who saw a fight against Shakur Stevenson fall through. Cordina remains a world-class operator and is seeking two-weight glory at lightweight. Davis has already fought in the UK before and seemingly enjoyed his time here. Why not come back?
Most of these opponents would have given Davis a chance to add to his legacy, defend or unify titles, and deliver real fights for fans. Instead, he’s chasing easy money and mainstream spectacle against Jake Paul. The frustration for boxing is that the names are out there – waiting, willing, and far more deserving.
