The boxing world is abuzz with the stunning announcement that Maryland native Gervonta “Tank” Davis will face internet sensation Jake Paul in a highly anticipated exhibition match. Set for November 15th at State Farm Arena in Atlanta and to be streamed live on Netflix, according to Ring Magazine.
The fight is a clash of different worlds… a bona fide boxing champion and a social media megastar. While the fight itself is a major draw, for Marylanders, it’s also a chance to see one of their own on a global stage.
Gervonta Davis was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland. He began training at the age of five at the legendary Upton Boxing Center in West Baltimore, a gym that became a sanctuary and a forge for his talent. Under the guidance of his long-time trainer Calvin Ford, Davis honed the explosive power and technical prowess that have made him a five-time world champion.
While Davis has built his career on a foundation of professional championship bouts, his opponent, Jake Paul, has followed a different path. Paul’s boxing career has been a series of high-profile events, often featuring opponents from outside the traditional boxing world.
His professional record stands at 11 wins and 1 loss. Paul’s wins include victories over former NBA player Nate Robinson and several retired MMA fighters like Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice), Anderson Silva, and Nate Diaz. His sole loss came in a split decision against professional boxer Tommy Fury. More recently, Paul defeated former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. and before that went up against legendary heavyweight Mike Tyson in a professional bout in November 2024, winning by unanimous decision. The bout took place at a heavyweight class, with Paul weighing in at 227.2 lbs, in contrast to Davis’s fighting weight of around 135 pounds.
