Netflix has already seen success with its move into boxing. The streamer recently hosted Jake Paul's exhibition match against Mike Tyson, which pulled in record-breaking viewership. The platform plans to broadcast an NFL game on Christmas Day 2024 and again in 2025. With 300 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix is betting big on live sports to keep viewers engaged.
Paul, a streamer-turned-boxer with a 12-1 record, comes into this fight fresh off a unanimous decision victory over Julio César Chávez Jr. in California. He was supposed to fight Anthony Joshua, but that bout fell through due to broadcast issues.
Davis, known as "Tank," had his own fight cancellation recently. He was set to face Lamont Roach in August, but a court appearance in July put those plans on hold. Davis faced charges of misdemeanor assault and domestic violence, but the case was dismissed when the alleged victim withdrew her complaint.
The Paul-Davis matchup presents an interesting challenge. Paul will have a significant size advantage, weighing in about 50 pounds heavier than Davis. The fight was originally slated for August 15 but got pushed back to November 14 due to scheduling conflicts.
"I'm excited to show what I can do against a fighter with real knockout power," Paul said. "This is my chance to prove I belong in the ring with the pros."
Davis, with his extensive professional experience, sees this as an opportunity to test Paul's mettle.
"Jake's shown some skill, but he hasn't faced anyone like me," Davis said. "I'm here to see if he's the real deal or just hype."
Fight fans are eager to see how Paul handles a seasoned pro like Davis. While Paul has shown determination and flashes of skill in his previous bouts, he's yet to face an opponent with true knockout power.
Next month, Netflix will stream another high-profile boxing match between Saúl 'Canelo' Álvarez and Terence Crawford from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. The streaming giant is clearly going all-in on boxing, and the Paul-Davis fight is just the latest in its growing lineup of live sports events.