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Jake Paul's exhibition bout in Miami appears to be in turmoil after Gervonta Davis was hit with yet another round of domestic abuse allegations, casting serious doubt over the event. The WBA lightweight champion had been lined up to face Paul on the 14th of November, but those plans are on the brink of collapse following a new lawsuit. The filing includes accusations of choking and making death threats towards his former partner, allegations that have reportedly prompted Paul's team to immediately begin looking for a replacement. Gervonta Davis' Troubled History This is by no means the first time Davis has been in trouble outside the ring. The 30-year-old has a long history of legal issues, including multiple previous arrests for alleged domestic violence and even spending time behind bars after violating the terms of his house arrest following a conviction for causing a serious car accident on a suspended license. All of this has clouded an otherwise world-class boxing career, but once again, controversy has struck at a time when he's on the verge of a major payday. The situation presents both a setback and an opportunity for Paul. The YouTuber-turned-boxer has built a reputation for turning chaos into headlines, and while the collapse of a fight with Davis is far from ideal, it opens the door for another huge match-up. Paul's name alone guarantees attention, but his choice of opponents has often divided opinion. Many critics argue that his previous fights have been arranged to favour him one way or another. Most of his fights have been against either smaller or much older fighters, with a good portion having significantly less boxing experience, where five of his wins have come against opponents making their boxing debut. The fight with Davis was no exception. Despite Davis' experience and pedigree, Paul stands at 6 foot 1 inches, compared to Davis, who is just 5 foot 5 inches. The bout itself was down to be at a 195lb catchweight, only 5lbs lower than the cruiserweight limit that Paul usually fights at, but a whole 60lbs above the lightweight limit that Davis tends to fight at. Jake Paul Eyeing New Opponent After Gervonta Davis Legal Trouble Paul's camp has reportedly shifted focus to finding another high-profile name who can deliver both entertainment and commercial value. Several possibilities have been explored, and it appears that one fighter in particular has emerged as the frontrunner to take Davis' place. According to boxing insider Chris Mannix, Paul's team has now made a formal offer to Ryan Garcia. Garcia famously faced Davis in one of 2023's biggest fights. Davis won that night via stoppage, but the fight generated huge interest around the world and proved Garcia was a big draw. Since then, the California native has endured a more than turbulent run both in and out of the ring. Following his loss to Davis, he missed out on a world title due to a weight issue and then later saw a win over Devin Haney overturned due to failing a drugs test, and was expelled from the WBC for using racial slurs in a live stream. After serving a year-long suspension, he had an opportunity to get back to form and claim the vacant WBA welterweight title against Roland Romero, but suffered a landslide loss by unanimous decision, with one judge scoring the bout 118-109. Despite the setbacks, Garcia still remains one of boxing's biggest attractions. Talk of a fight with Manny Pacquiao has long lingered, but Paul's latest offer could be the most lucrative and high-profile opportunity that's actually on the table and ready to be accepted. The two have had a public exchange of words before, with Garcia stating his desire to "hurt" Paul, which may make this bout a lot more personal. If it is finalised, Paul vs Garcia would draw worldwide attention, yet again combining the celebrity spectacle with boxing. As for Gervonta Davis, meanwhile, he once again finds himself in a fight outside the ring, overshadowing his unbeaten career inside it.
