The boxing world is once again mixing sport with spectacle. Gervonta Davis, who is already scheduled to fight Jake Paul on November 14 at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, has accepted an unusual challenge: sparring with influencer IShowSpeed before even stepping into the ring against the YouTuber-turned-boxer.

An unexpected challenge in the middle of training

The news broke after Lamont Roach Jr., Davis’s opponent this past March and current WBA super featherweight champion, ran into IShowSpeed during a livestream in Washington D.C. The content creator, whose real name is Darren Jason Watkins Jr., surprised everyone by proposing a sparring session instead of his usual races against other influencers.

At first, Roach Jr. doubted the seriousness of the idea but eventually agreed under conditions, throwing subtle jabs at Gervonta Davis by referencing the controversy from their fight with comments like: “As long as you don’t drop to your knees or rub grease in your eyes.” Meanwhile, Speed pushed with excitement: “Get me some gloves, I’m ready for one round.”

Although no date or location has been confirmed, the challenge has already gone viral on social media, sparking debate among boxing fans and the influencer’s followers.

The KSI precedent raises concerns

This wouldn’t be the first time IShowSpeed steps into a boxing ring. In December 2023, he took part in a charity fight against fellow creator KSI, during an event supporting the Anthony Walker Foundation. That night, Speed showed more courage than technique: he ran around the ring for several rounds and ended up nearly in tears after taking several body shots.

KSI himself stopped the fight midway, saying that while Speed’s bravery deserved respect, it would have been reckless to continue.

That’s why the possibility of him repeating the experience against a champion like Lamont Roach Jr., even just in sparring, raises concerns about his safety and the integrity of the event.

Between the show and the seriousness of boxing

While Gervonta Davis remains focused on his multi-million-dollar fight against Jake Paul, the media buzz surrounding the challenge with IShowSpeed highlights a growing trend in boxing: the fusion of elite sport with digital entertainment.

It remains to be seen whether this sparring session actually happens or stays just another viral moment. What’s clear is that, caught between preparing for a historic fight and the weight of the spectacle, Davis is once again at the center of all the conversation.