Copyright Yardbarker
The highly anticipated exhibition bout between social media superstar Jake Paul and undefeated WBA lightweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis is on the verge of collapse. Originally scheduled for November 14 and set to be streamed live via Netflix, the fight has been plagued by challenges from its inception, from concerns regarding the significant weight disparity between the two fighters to boxing talking heads criticizing the bout as nothing more than a cash grab. Now it is in serious jeopardy of getting cancelled or postponed, as Davis is expected to withdraw from the event altogether following a civil lawsuit that accuses the boxer of serious violent behavior. Here are some fighters who have reportedly received offers to replace Davis, per reports from Coppinger and Sports Illustrated Senior Writer Chris Mannix: Terence Crawford The reigning pound-for-pound king, fresh off a massive victory over Canelo Alvarez, is the most competitively daunting option for Jake Paul. Crawford has not yet confirmed his next move, leaving the door open for a high-profile, lucrative event against the influencer. While the weight difference would be substantial, the sheer spectacle of an all-time great facing the YouTube boxer would generate tremendous interest. After conquering multiple weight classes, a fight with Paul could represent a big payday, though voices in the sport would question the bout’s merit given the vast disparity in experience and achievements. Ryan Garcia The volatile and popular Ryan Garcia has long been linked to a fight with Jake Paul, and a report from Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated confirmed he was one of the first names approached as a potential replacement for Davis: De La Hoya and Garcia have a contentious relationship, however, and the allure of a Paul-Garcia clash remains high for both fighters, given their massive social media followings and proven pay-per-view draw. Andre Ward The undefeated pound-for-pound legend has surfaced as a dark horse candidate. Ward, who has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame since his retirement in 2017, has been busy in his post-fight career as an influential boxing podcaster and media member. A fight against Paul would pit one of the most technically sound boxers of his generation against the sport's biggest disruptor. Though facing Paul would guarantee another major payday and a chance to re-establish his momentum in the boxing ring after a few tough losses, Ngannou was insulted by the fight offer, per an interview with TMZ. “How can they go from Gervonta Davis to Francis Ngannou? It makes no sense,” Ngannou said. “I was so confused. I’m like, no bro, c’mon. Don’t disrespect me like that. I’m not interested.” It is still possible, however, that an alluring paycheck could cause Ngannou to change his mind. For now, Ngannou told TMZ, "I'm just not interested. It makes no sense for me. It's not what I'm looking at right now." Nate Diaz Rounding out the list of potential replacements is Nate Diaz, the UFC veteran who already fought Paul in 2023, losing a unanimous decision. A rematch would offer Diaz a chance at redemption and Paul an opportunity to prove his first victory was decisive, though it may lack the novelty of a fresh matchup. Talks of a rematch have surfaced periodically since their first encounter, with Diaz publicly hurling insults at both Jake and Logan Paul via social media. From a logistical standpoint, bringing Diaz back for a second fight offers a built-in narrative and would likely be an easier promotion given their history. Jake Paul’s Promotion Responds The sudden withdrawal of Gervonta Davis has thrown Jake Paul's fighting schedule into chaos, but it has also opened the door for a new, high-stakes matchup in December. For now, Jake Paul’s fight promotion, Most Valuable Promotions, has stated that they have not yet made an official decision, as they are currently investigating the civil lawsuit against Davis:
