Rumours have long been swirling around Jake Paul’s next boxing opponent, with British heavyweight powerhouse and former world champion Anthony Joshua linked.
Instead, WBA lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis has been named as the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s next opponent, who’s some 110lb lighter than Joshua.
Paul, who weighed in for his last exhibition bout at 200l lbs, is 185cm in height, whereas his next opponent is currently sitting around the 135lb mark and will be his latest opponent in his 13-fight career.
The 28-year-old celebrity from Cleveland, Ohio, has 12 wins with his one defeat coming at the hands of British heavyweight Tommy Fury in 2023.
His bout with Gervonta ‘Tank’ Davis will be an exhibition and take place on November 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, streamed on Netflix to the world.
Who is Jake Paul’s next opponent – Gervonta Davis?
The significant difference in size has brought widespread confusion with Davis around 65lb lighter than Paul and only 165cm in height.
As we’re quite used to with previous Jake Paul fights, the validity of the contest has caused debate, as Davis will need to put on serious weight to bridge the physical mismatch.
At 30 years old, Davis is in the prime of his boxing career, a contrast to some of Paul’s older previous opponents, including a 58-year-old Mike Tyson earlier this year.
The Baltimore lightweight has made a name for himself with his explosive power, aggressive style and enduring finishing ability.
He’s a multi-weight champion of the world, having also claimed super featherweight and superlightweight belts previously.
Davis has never fought heavier than lightweight and has only been down in weight class.
Even at lightweight, he’s some seven weight classes from Jake Paul’s heavyweight history.
In 31 fights, he’s had 30 wins and just one draw in an invincible professional record to date.
28 knockout wins highlight how Davis has built a reputation as one of boxing’s most feared punchers, renowned for ending fights early.
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Who is Jake Paul’s lightest boxing opponent?
Jake Paul’s lightest opponent to date is former NBA player Nate Robinson, who weighed in at 181lb, while Paul came down to 189lb.
Robinson, who was 175cm in height, was floored by Jake Paul in the first round, which won’t do Gervonta Davis’ nerves any help.
Since then, Paul has beaten heavier opponents such as former UFC fighters Tyron Woodley and Anderson Silva while also coming up short against professional boxing heavyweight Tommy Fury.
Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis: a boxing ‘freak show’
The Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis exhibition has been dubbed a ‘freak show’ with the pair’s 65lb gulf in weight unprecedented in professional boxing and potentially the biggest deficit of all time.
The size discrepancy makes it an utter mismatch, with experts wondering if Davis can withstand the power of Paul or if his speed and agility will grind his celebrity opponent down.
Paul’s fight will invariably draw massive attention; the bout will be a never-before-seen affair, with their final weight gap unknown.
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