Jake Paul Prepares for Controversial Bout with Gervonta “Tank” Davis

As Jake Paul gears up for his November 14th match against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in Miami, the controversial YouTuber-turned-boxer finds himself yet again at the center of boxing purists’ criticism. This unsanctioned bout pits Paul against a fighter who typically competes seven weight classes below Paul’s cruiserweight division. Despite the skepticism, Paul remains unfazed, telling Fox News Digital confidently, “Everyone remembers that there’s a winner.” The matchup continues Paul’s pattern of selecting opponents that draw criticism – from the 31-years-older Mike Tyson to aging UFC stars like Anderson Silva, to relatively unknown boxers. Yet Paul sees this fight differently, positioning it as a response to his critics who have demanded he fight someone his own age and among the world’s best.

“This is answering both of those things in one,” Paul explained, embracing his underdog status. “Half the internet thinks I’m going to get killed… proving to people that I can box better than someone who’s been doing it their whole life.” Paul believes spectators will be genuinely surprised by his tactical approach and execution when fight night arrives. His preparation has shifted dramatically compared to previous bouts, with a renewed focus on speed, ring IQ, and maintaining mental sharpness throughout the entire 39-minute potential duration. “I have to be the sharpest I’ve ever been for 39 minutes straight, and that’s not easy to do against someone who’s one of the pound-for-pound best,” he acknowledged, respecting Davis’s established boxing credentials.

The unsanctioned nature of the fight has inevitably sparked accusations of it being staged or rigged – allegations that have followed Paul throughout his boxing career. These claims reached such intensity that Paul and his business partner Nakisa Bidarian recently threatened legal action against critics, most notably television personality Piers Morgan. Following the threat, Morgan quickly “clarified” his previous statements, and Paul has noticed a general quieting of such accusations. “People haven’t been talking. And rightfully so,” Paul remarked. “Stop lying on my name. People can say a lot of things, but when they’re blatant lies that actually defame my brand, people saying fights are rigged, steroids, whatever it is, that’s where it goes too far.”

Paul draws a clear line between general criticism of his boxing career and what he considers defamatory statements. “Hate on the fights, don’t watch the fights, whatever, but as soon as people start lying, they’re going to get sued,” he warned. This firm stance appears to have tempered some of the more extreme criticisms that previously surrounded his boxing endeavors. While Paul has been adamant about his legitimacy in the sport, repeatedly expressing his ambition to become a world champion (he’s reportedly eligible for a WBA title fight), skeptics continue to question whether his selection of opponents truly advances this goal or simply generates publicity and paydays.

Beyond the boxing ring, Paul’s personal life has been flourishing alongside his athletic career. He recently became engaged to Olympic speedskater Jutta Leerdam, who earned a silver medal in the women’s 1,000 meters at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. The 26-year-old Dutch athlete will be competing for gold at the upcoming Olympics, creating a dynamic where both partners are pursuing intense athletic goals simultaneously. Their relationship faces the unique challenges that come with being elite athletes with demanding training schedules. “It’s intense to be an athlete couple and training all the time. We’re not always there for each other, but we’re FaceTiming all day, pretty much supporting each other,” Paul shared, offering a glimpse into their relationship.

The couple’s engagement earlier this year has taken a backseat to their respective athletic pursuits, with wedding planning seemingly on hold as both focus on their training regimens. Paul expressed that his own preparation has limited his ability to support Leerdam as much as he would like, but he’s committed to changing that after his upcoming fight. “After this fight, I’m going to try and be there for her as much as possible supporting her in her journey to the Olympics. And I know she’s going to do amazing things,” he said. This balance between professional ambition and personal relationship highlights the complexities of Paul’s evolving public persona – from controversial internet personality to aspiring boxing champion and supportive partner to an Olympic athlete. As November 14th approaches, the boxing world watches with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism to see if Paul can deliver on his promises against a technically superior, albeit smaller, opponent in Gervonta Davis.