An unlikely spectacle is taking shape: cruiserweight influencer-boxer Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) is reportedly set to face WBA lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) in an exhibition on November 14 at State Farm Arena, Atlanta. Per reports, the bout will stream on Netflix, with weight details still to be finalized.
It’s a matchup born of reach rather than reason. Paul, fresh off abandoned talks with heavyweight Anthony Joshua, has pivoted to Davis - a far smaller but vastly more accomplished professional - to stage a high-attention event that won’t touch either man’s official record. The exhibition tag underscores what this is: entertainment first.
Watch Tank vs. Roach highlights: Watch
For Davis, coming off a debated draw with Lamont Roach Jr. in March, the Paul encounter is both lucrative and low-risk, but it will fuel criticism that he’s swerving a Roach rematch and other divisional threats. The Baltimore star’s blend of elite talent and off-ring turbulence makes the optics even more polarizing.
Watch Paul vs. Chavez Jr. highlights: Watch
For Paul, the upside is obvious: a megawatt name opposite him on a massive platform. Yet even a dominant showing over a much smaller opponent won’t rewrite his competitive résumé. As one assessment put it, this is “less fighting than it is entertainment” - and judged on that scale, it’s already doing its job.
Meanwhile in the co-main event, Alycia Baumgardner will defend her WBA, IBF, and WBO super featherweight titles against Canada’s Leila Beaudoin.
Baumgardner comes off a grueling unanimous decision win over Spain’s Jennifer Miranda, a contest that reinforced her reputation as one of boxing’s top female fighters. She now looks to extend her reign by turning back the challenge of Beaudoin, who has earned her shot on the back of strong recent form.
Beaudoin arrives with a four-fight winning streak, including a key victory in June over Elhem Mekhaled in Quebec that propelled her into title contention. Though the Canadian challenger enters as the underdog, her consistency and composure have set the stage for the biggest opportunity of her career.
Main card:
▪️Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis, 10 rounds, 195-pound catchweight
▪️Alycia Baumgardner vs. Leila Beaudoin, 12 rounds, for Baumgardner’s IBF, WBA, and WBO super featherweight titles
▪️Gary Antuanne Russell vs. Andy Hiraoka, 12 rounds, for Russell’s WBA super lightweight title
Prelims:
▪️Ellie Scotney vs. Mayelli Flores Rosquero, 10 rounds, for Scotney’s IBF, WBC, and WBO super bantamweight titles and Flores’ WBA super bantamweight title
▪️Yokasta Valle vs. Yadira Bustillos, 10 rounds, for Valle’s WBC minimumweight title
▪️Avious Griffin vs. Cesar Francis, 8 rounds, welterweight
