The upcoming boxing match between Gervonta Davis and Jake Paul could be in jeopardy due to recent allegations against Davis.
Davis is accused of attacking a woman at a Miami Gardens strip club, leading to a civil lawsuit and an active police investigation.
Most Valuable Promotions, the fight’s promoter, is reviewing the situation before deciding on the next steps for the event.
Promoter Oscar De La Hoya has stated that his fighter, Ryan Garcia, will not replace Davis due to contractual obligations with different broadcasters.
The fight between Gervonta Davis and Jake Paul is up in the air less than two weeks before the men are scheduled to fight Nov. 14 in Miami for an exhibition boxing match.
The uncertainty stems from allegations that Davis, 30, attacked a woman in a strip club in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Oct. 27. The woman filed a civil lawsuit Friday in Miami-Dade County.
The Miami Gardens Police Department was investigating the matter as of Friday, when an employee in the records department told USA TODAY Sports that the matter was an ‘active case.” Attempts by USA TODAY Sports to get an update on the case Saturday were unsuccessful.
With speculation about a possible replacement fighter swirling, Oscar De La Hoya said boxer Ryan Garcia would not be stepping in for Davis, the WBA lightweight champion. De La Hoya, whose company Golden Boy Promotions represents Garcia, addressed the issue in a video he posted on social media.
Potential criminal matter
The woman who says Davis attacked her pressed charges against him at the Miami Gardens Police Department before the civil lawsuit was filed with the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, said Richard C. Wolfe, one of two attorneys representing the woman.
Jeff Chukwuma, a second attorney representing the woman, said the incident was captured on video at Tootsie’s Cabaret, where the woman was working as a VIP cocktail waitress when the incident took place. Chukwuma said he had not seen the video or say how he knew it existed.
“They (the police department) have to do an investigation, they have to make sure they have enough evidence,’’ Chukwuma told USA TODAY Sports. “…Since the incident was on video, they have to subpoena the video and they have to take statements from the witnesses. They’re just building up their case right now.’’
A man who picked up the phone at Tootsie’s Cabaret after USA TODAY Sports requested the manager had no comment. He did not provide his name.
Promoter issues statement
Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), which is partnering with Netflix on the fight, on Saturday said it had “immediately initiated’’ upon learning of the civil lawsuit filed against Davis.
“At this time we are gathering information and reviewing the details to ensure any decision we make is thoroughly vetted,’’ MVP said in a statement. “We unequivocally condemn any form of violence and are committed to handling this matter with diligence and respect for all involved.
“We will make a determination on the next steps once we have completed our review and consulted with the appropriate parties. Until then, we will not be commenting further.’’
Gervonta Davis legal troubles
Davis is on probation from his conviction in a hit-and-run car accident. In May 2023, he was sentenced to 90 days house arrest and three years probation, which would be set to end in May 2026. The boxer pleaded guilty to multiple traffic offenses stemming from the hit-and-run accident.
On July 11, Davis was arrested on one count of battery-domestic violence in Florida, according Doral Police Department records. His arrest stemmed from an incident on June 15 that involved an ex-girlfriend who is the mother of two of Davis’ children, according to the arrest report. A police officer was dispatched to a hospital to interview the woman, according to a police report.
It’s unlikely that allegations of domestic violence against Davis are news to Paul.
During a press conference Sept. 22 to promote their fight, Paul told Davis, “Gervonta, you’re the (expletive) clown, buddy. Any man who puts his hands on a woman is a clown.’
In February 2020, Davis was charged with two misdemeanor counts of battery stemming from an incident with the mother of his daughter at a charity basketball game, according to court records and an ESPN report. The charges were dropped, according to court records.
In December 2022, he was arrested in Broward County, Florida, on one count for allegedly striking a woman on the side of her head, according to court records and an ESPN report. The charges were dropped, according to court records.
Ryan Garcia unlikely replacement
Oscar De La Hoya, whose company Golden Boy is Garcia’s promoter, nixed the idea of Garcia fighting Jake Paul for the Netflix fight. De La Hoya said it can’t happen because Garcia fights for DAZN and Paul fights on Netflix.
“Let me tell you why this fight is not going to happen. Ryan Garcia fights for DAZN and Jake Paul fights on Netflix,” De La Hoya, the retired boxer, said in a video posted on social media. ‘I mean, that’s pretty much the bottom line. Golden Boy has a contract with DAZN, Ryan Garcia has a contract with Golden Boy and that’s just the way it is. I mean, this is business.”
Garcia has not publicly addressed the situation, but De La Hoya was bracing for it.
“Ryan Garcia is probably going to go on a rant saying, oh, you’re keeping me from making money and this and that and fighting,” De La Hoya said. ‘No, you have to go by the law, by the rules. You have a contract with DAZN, you have a contract with Golden Boy.’’