Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis have stunned the boxing world by announcing a fight for November 14. The match-up comes as a surprise due to the significant differences in skill level and weight class between the two fighters.
Paul previously called out Davis and Anthony Joshua after his victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. At the time, many dismissed these challenges as jokes because of the skill and size gaps between Paul and the professional boxers.
Davis, on the other hand, had been considering retirement and was expected to have a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr. Instead, he chose to face Paul in what will undoubtedly be a lucrative bout for both fighters.
This decision puts Davis' immediate future as a title holder at risk. The World Boxing Association (WBA) will need to evaluate whether Davis can keep his lightweight world title after opting to fight Paul instead of the ordered rematch with Roach.
If Davis loses his WBA title, Floyd Schofield might be elevated to interim champion. Schofield became the WBA's mandatory challenger at lightweight after beating Tevin Farmer in late June.
Other contenders could emerge to challenge for the title if it becomes vacant. Andy Cruz, who had a successful amateur and Olympic career, has made a strong start in the professional ranks. Armando Martinez Rabi, another Cuban boxer, might also enter the picture.
Davis has held onto the WBA belt for years without pursuing titles from other sanctioning bodies. He'll likely have the opportunity to challenge for the belt again after the Paul fight, assuming the WBA doesn't hold a grudge.
"Davis probably won't care too much about being stripped of his title," a source close to the fighter said. "He's focused on the big payday that comes with fighting Jake Paul."
The boxing community waits with bated breath to see how this unexpected matchup will unfold and what it means for the future of the lightweight division.
