Jake Paul overcame Mike Tyson in November (Image: AP)
YouTube-boxing crossover star has lashed out at boxing sensation Gervonta Davis after the reigning lightweight champ targeted the online celebrity.
Nicknamed ‘The Problem Child,’ Paul is coming off a win by unanimous decision against ex-heavyweight kingpin in what turned out to be a lacklustre match-up last month, where he couldn’t seal the deal with a knockout against the 58 year old at Texas’ AT&T Stadium.
Following his clash with Tyson, the 27 year old Paul found himself in the crosshairs of many boxing figures. The offer even came from Daniel Dubois, September’s conqueror of Anthony Joshua, who extended an opportunity for Paul to fight for the heavyweight title. Dubois reached out via saying: “Hi Jake,” and adding, “Good business on the weekend but how would you feel fighting for the legitimate heavyweight championship of the world. This is Daniel Dubois calling you out, let’s get it on.”
Artur Beterbiev, the undebated light-heavyweight champion of the world was another one baiting Paul into a bout until he swiftly backtracked. Recently, however, undefeated pro Davis, who is also known as the ‘mini Mike Tyson’ with a record of 30-0 expressed his readiness to take on Paul during a conversation with Curran Bhatia.
Davis stated, “Yeah. Tell him this is my callout. Jake Paul what up? What up Jake Paul?” Paul hit back at Davis on social media, stating: “Floyd’s little son calling me out? … come on little tank, you know better. I saw you pretend like you didn’t know who Amanda Serrano and Katie Taylor are. Do better and maybe 1 day I give u a platform to shine again after that budget basic press conference you just had.”
Meanwhile, Davis, aged 30, is gearing up for his upcoming WBA lightweight title defence against Lamont Roach Jr. in March. The boxing community was left reeling when Davis recently hinted at an early retirement before reaching the age of 30. At a press event, he declared: “After next year, I’m out of it.”
Gervonta Davis called out Jake Paul (Image: Getty)
A surprised interviewer asked for clarification, prompting Davis to elaborate: “Out of the sport.” He went on to express his disillusionment with the sport, saying: “It’s over with after this year. This is trash, garbage. I’m out. I’m fed up with it. I don’t care about belts. I don’t care about none of that.”
His focus has shifted towards his personal life and financial security, as he explained: “I’m worried about getting my money and getting out of there. I’m just fed up. It’s not even boxing. It’s everything. I have kids, too. I just had a boy. I don’t want to have to keep fighting and getting punched and all that. I’ll probably be building my real estate portfolio, just trying to separate myself from the limelight. I just wanna be able to make money and stay out the way, that’s it. I want to be living without being seen.”
Despite Davis expressing interest in a future bout with Paul, the likelihood of it happening appears slim due to ‘Tank’ currently fighting at 135lbs, and Paul weighing in at 227lbs for his fight with Tyson, almost 100lbs heavier than Davis. Paul typically fights at cruiserweight and would require an open weight category to even contemplate accepting the Davis bout.