LOS ANGELES: American boxing star Devin Haney has weighed in on the surprise announcement of an exhibition clash between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Jake Paul, scheduled for November 14.

The matchup has caught fans off guard due to the drastic weight difference between the two fighters. Paul, who competes around 200 lbs, will face Davis, the reigning WBA lightweight world champion, who has never fought above 140 lbs. Davis’ title will not be on the line for the exhibition bout.

Appearing on The Ariel Helwani Show, Haney shared a measured response to Davis’ decision to face Paul instead of pursuing a rematch with Lamont Roach.

“Yeah, I mean, it’s an exhibition fight — that’s his business at the end of the day,” Haney said. “We all know what that means. There’s a lot more at stake for him fighting Jake rather than Lamont. Did we all want to see the rematch? Yeah. But I think they’ll still do it eventually.”

“Jake Is Big, Tank Has Experience”

Haney went on to analyze the fight dynamics, acknowledging that while Jake Paul has improved as a boxer, Davis’ years of professional experience could make the difference — depending on the ruleset of the exhibition.

“Jake is a decent boxer. He’s got skills, he works hard, and he’s big,” Haney said. “Tank is small, but he’s been boxing since he was a kid. Should Tank win? Yes. But I don’t know the rules or the ins and outs of the fight.”

The matchup, billed as a crossover spectacle, has divided the boxing community. While some see it as entertainment-driven, others view it as a potential showcase of technical skill versus size and power.

As the boxing world waits for official fight rules and further details, Haney’s comments echo a wider sentiment — curiosity mixed with caution over one of the most unexpected exhibition bouts of 2025.