Jake Paul has talked a prolific game during the promotional period of his pitting against
Gervonta Davis, per usual, going as far as saying he will “disable tiny boy” Davis and hand him a humbling knockout.
Paul is now singing a different tune as their
November 14 meeting at the Kaseya Center in Miami on Netflix inches closer.
“This is definitely my toughest test to date,” Paul told TMZ. “There are a lot of things out there about size. But people forget that Tank is a top 10 pound-for-pound fighter. He's got power in both hands. Skills-wise and technique-wise, he's been doing this for so long. Internally, I am the most scared going into a fight that I've actually ever been in.
“His speed, elusiveness, ring IQ, conditioning, he's going to be sharp all the way through – the list goes on and on. Actually being vulnerable for a second is crazy and scary and keeps me up at night.”
Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) and the WBA 135-pound champion Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) will mix it up under a special set of rules that includes: 195 pounds maximum weight; 10, three-minute rounds; 12-ounce gloves. There will also be three judges ringside to announce a winner, despite it not being sanctioned as a professional fight.
Despite some uncertainty and second-guessing, Paul believes he can pull off the victory.
“I believe I have the power and the offense to be able to walk Tank into a knockout like I have done with other opponents,” said Paul. “I am fully confident in my abilities, and it will be one of the craziest upsets in a long time.”
Manouk Akopyan is The Ring’s lead writer. Follow him on X and Instagram: @ManoukAkopyan.