Gervonta Davis surprised the boxing world back in August when it was announced that he would be facing Jake Paul next.
The unbeaten 30-year-old from Baltimore is set to face the YouTuber-turned-boxer in a scheduled ten round exhibition clash on Friday November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, the latest high-profile bout to be broadcast around the world on Netflix.
Davis’ last appearance took place back in March when his WBA lightweight title defence against countryman Lamont Roach Jr was declared a majority decision draw, although some viewers felt the challenger had done enough to be declared the winner.
Whilst it was expected that ‘Tank’ would face Roach in a rematch next, the three-weight world champion instead opted for a controversial match-up with ‘The Problem Child’, a decision that has sparked outrage amongst some of the boxing community.
It seems that ‘Tank’ has made a complete 180 on facing Paul, as in a resurfaced interview Davis made it clear he would have to secure his legacy in the sport first before taking on the YouTuber.
“I’d laugh at them. I feel as though in my career I can’t do that right now. I ain’t put in enough work. I’m not a Floyd Mayweather, Manny Pacquiao or Canelo Alvarez. I still got work to put in.
“I still got to have my foot on the gas as far as boxing, if I do that right now they going to look at me as a joke just like they look at Jake Paul.”
Fans and analysts had been holding out hope for a showdown between ‘Tank’ and long-term rival Shakur Stevenson, but it appears this ‘mega-fight’ is now unlikely to ever happen, after Davis revealed earlier this year that he intends to announce his retirement from the sport after he faces Paul next month.
