Legal case against Gervonta Davis puts the event at risk

What was expected to be one of the most high-profile boxing events of the year on Netflix is now facing serious uncertainty. The exhibition bout between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis, scheduled for November 14 in Miami under special rules authorized by the Florida State Athletic Commission, has been thrown into doubt following a civil lawsuit against the current WBA lightweight champion.

American star Gervonta Davis has been accused in Miami-Dade of battery, kidnapping and other charges by his ex-partner. The severity of the allegations left the future of the event hanging by a thread, as promotional company Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) announced that it would review the situation before making any further decisions.

With the fight potentially being pushed to December, the possibility of replacing Davis is now being seriously evaluated.

Terence Crawford, Francis Ngannou and more in the mix

Journalist Mike Coppinger has reported that MVP is already exploring multiple high-profile alternatives for Jake Paul in case Davis is removed from the card. The list includes elite stars capable of delivering a major global draw:

• Terence Crawford, undisputed super middleweight champion after defeating Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez
• Former UFC heavyweight king Francis Ngannou, now a crossover attraction
• Nate Diaz, who already faced Paul in 2023 in a compelling matchup
• Ryan Garcia, though that option is now nearly ruled out

Oscar De La Hoya, president of Golden Boy Promotions, explained bluntly why Garcia cannot take the fight:
“Ryan Garcia fights on DAZN and Jake Paul fights on Netflix. That’s the bottom line. Contracts make it impossible.”

Meanwhile, Crawford has yet to define his future after teasing retirement, while Ngannou continues to entertain big-name boxing opportunities.

Jake Paul looks for clarity amid uncertainty

For Jake Paul, unpredictability has become a familiar opponent. A potential mega-fight with Canelo Álvarez evaporated earlier this year when the Mexican star signed an exclusive multi-fight deal. Now, Davis’ legal issues have once again halted Paul’s plans.

Though the event has not been officially called off, the pressure now rests on MVP and Netflix to secure a new headliner and keep the show alive before 2025 ends.

The opponent remains unknown. But with so many high-impact names available, the spectacle could become even bigger if the right replacement is chosen.