Jake Paul‘s MVP Promotions didn’t waste a moment when his originally planned bout against Gervonta “Tank” Davis suddenly fell apart.
CEO Nakisa Bidarian revealed that nearly 30 fighters reached out or accepted an offer to face Paul the moment Davis was no longer an option.
Speaking to TMZ, Bidarian said that “the three names Jake gravitated towards were Ryan Garcia, Terence Crawford, and Anthony Joshua. And there were probably 30 fighters who accepted to fight Jake.”
That level of interest underscored how much attention Paul now commands in the boxing world, and how quickly the promotion needed to act with a year-end event already promised.
How Anthony Joshua fit the bill
The decision ultimately came down to a mix of spectacle, marketability, and stylistic considerations. In Bidarian’s words:
“It’s a dangerous fight for Jake, but it’s a more winnable fight for Jake than Gervonta Davis,” he admitted.
“Tank is a much smaller man, but he’s quick, he’s fast, he’s precise, he’s super skilled, and he had knockout power. AJ is big, strong, and has knockout power, but he’s definitely slower than Tank.
“He’s definitely less skilled than Tank. And so, it will give Jake, the boxer, who’s been in the sport a lot less than Joshua, the opportunity to display a better skill set than he would have against Tank from my perspective.”
The reported agreement includes specific conditions: eight three-minute rounds, 10-ounce gloves, and a maximum weight of 245 pounds for Joshua.
For Paul, who has been competing closer to cruiserweight, those terms add a safety margin while still giving him one of boxing’s biggest global names.
Choosing Anthony Joshua signals Paul’s desire to be taken seriously not only as a showman but as a competitor.
Joshua brings global recognition, heavyweight credibility, and a style that MVP Promotions believes offers Paul the chance to show more of his developing boxing skill set than he would have against someone as fast and compact as Gervonta Davis.
Why the Gervonta Davis fight collapsed
The original Paul-Davis exhibition was set for November 14 in Miami, streamed globally on Netflix.
Yet the matchup dissolved after a civil lawsuit alleging assault was filed against Davis in Miami-Dade County, a development that immediately derailed promotional plans.
MVP Promotions quickly scrapped the event and vowed to keep Jake Paul active before the end of the year.
That pledge led them to canvass the sport for potential replacements, resulting in the unusually large list of fighters who signaled their willingness.
Among the early candidates was Ryan Garcia, who reportedly received a December fight offer.
However, industry reporting suggested a deal with Garcia was unlikely, as his promoter, Golden Boy, appeared focused on setting up a different bout for 2026.
Another serious possibility was Terence Crawford, fresh off his high-profile 12-round contest with Canelo Álvarez.
Crawford’s star power made him one of the more realistic alternatives, but scheduling and weight-class complications ultimately pushed him down the list.
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