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After Gervonta “Tank” Davis found himself in trouble with the law, his exhibition fight with Jake Paul was cut short.
This turned out to be a blessing in disguise, as Paul and his most valuable promotions announced that he would now face two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua next month.
The fight will take place on December 19 at the Kaseya Center in Miami and will be a sanctioned heavyweight bout. Eight three-minute rounds are planned with 10-ounce gloves.
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Boxer, actor and YouTuber Jake Paul gestures during his weigh-in before his heavyweight boxing match against Mike Tyson in Irving, Texas, November 14, 2024. (Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images)
“A professional heavyweight fight against an elite world champion in his prime. When I beat Anthony Joshua, all doubt disappears and no one can deny me the opportunity to fight for a world title. To all my haters, this is what you wanted,” Paul said in a statement. “To the people of the United Kingdom, I am sorry. On Friday December 19, under the bright lights of Miami, live worldwide only on Netflix, the torch passes and the British Goliath falls asleep.”
This will be Joshua’s first fight since coming up short in an IBF title fight against Daniel Dubois on September 21, 2024. He last held a title in August 2022.
“I took some time off and I’m coming back with a mega show. It’s a big opportunity for me,” Joshua said. “Whether you like it or not, I’m here to put up massive numbers, put up big fights, and break all the records while remaining calm, collected, and calm. Mark my words, you’ll see a lot more fighters taking up these opportunities in the future. I’m about to break the internet because of Jake Paul’s face.”
Anthony Joshua punches Francis Ngannou during a heavyweight bout between Anthony Joshua and Francis Ngannou on the Knockout Chaos boxing card at Kingdom Arena on March 8, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Richard Pelham/Getty Images)
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Paul was scheduled to fight Davis on November 14, but the matchup was canceled after Davis was charged with assault and battery on his ex-girlfriend at a strip club where she worked. He was also accused of making two written threats to kill her.
After the fight was canceled, Paul tore into Davis as “a walking piece of human garbage.”
“Working with him is an absolute nightmare. The lack of professionalism, the bizarre requests, the hours late on set. Not to mention the numerous arrests and resulting charges and lawsuits. If you support this man, you are supporting the most vile sin a man can commit,” Paul wrote on his Instagram Stories.
“I didn’t want to give this abuser of women a platform to increase his fans and increase his bank account. My company stands for women. I am truly sorry to everyone involved. Especially to the undercard fighters, my MVP team and my team who worked so hard to prepare for this fight. Sacrificing time with his loved ones and his children just for this fool to lose his unintelligent mind again. It’s scary that evil men like this can rise to the top of the world. culture and sport, including in positions of power.
Jake Paul reacts after knocking out Andre August in the first round during the Jake Paul vs. Andre August at Caribe Royale Orlando on December 15, 2023 in Orlando, Florida. (Alex Menéndez/Getty Images)
This will be Paul’s second heavyweight fight, moving up in weight to face Mike Tyson last year. Paul won this fight by unanimous decision.
