Jake Paul’s efforts to secure a replacement opponent for Gervonta Davis in his upcoming exhibition boxing match have faced repeated roadblocks. Names like Ryan Garcia, Anthony Joshua, and Nate Diaz surfaced for November 14, but the mention of Francis Ngannou shocked fans. Given the size difference, many saw it as a potential mismatch. Although Ngannou has prior boxing experience, the size disparity raised further concerns. The situation worsened when Davis faced temporary restraining orders in an alleged domestic battery case, effectively canceling the fight amid intense public scrutiny.

Through the chaos, Francis Ngannou’s name circulated widely in the boxing world as a possible opponent for Jake Paul. Ngannou, however, dismissed the rumors, calling the matchup “disrespectful” to him. Undeterred, Paul took to X to call out the former UFC champion, recalling how Tyson Fury and Anthony Joshua “humiliated” him in boxing and accusing ‘The Predator’ of avoiding him out of fear of losing. Now, hours later, the heavyweight star has escalated the situation further by bringing Mike Tyson into the conversation.

Francis Ngannou demands “someone to discipline” Jake Paul

Francis Ngannou is showing no signs of backing down after Jake Paul’s perceived disrespect. On X, Ngannou’s profile features a picture with Mike Tyson, signaling his defiant stance. Responding to the Ohio native’s “scared” accusations, Ngannou mocked Paul for his fight and win over 58-year-old Mike Tyson last year, writing, “Choose your words wisely, boy. I agree that you need someone to discipline you for what you did to Mike Tyson, but stay in your lane.😤” Despite their past partnership at PFL, Paul didn’t let the comment go unanswered.

‘The Problem Child’ fired back, stating, “My lane helped your lane I spoke up for you over and over again.” Moreover, the Ohio native went further, questioning Ngannou’s integrity: “Maybe the truth is you are a fake holier than thou actor, when it’s always been just about you. Maybe use your platform to speak on the youth of your country (posting a flag ain’t it), instead of doing TMZ interviews like a con man to talk about me. Reality check…I sleep you in boxing and Jon Jones does in…🛌”

In the past, the pair had supported each other, uniting against their common adversary, UFC CEO Dana White, over fighter pay issues. When Francis Ngannou left the UFC in 2023 because of pay and fighter security concerns and joined PFL, Jake Paul backed him, and Ngannou returned the favor. Both fighters have consistently advocated against the exploitation of athletes.

Finally, ‘The Predator’ reinforced his stance in a follow-up tweet, reminding Jake Paul, “You did speak up for me in the past, but we are still not in the same lane. Grow up and don’t fall so low.”

Despite Jake Paul’s repeated attempts to provoke Francis Ngannou, nothing materialized, as MVP recently confirmed that ‘The Problem Child’s November 14th bout will no longer proceed, dealing a significant blow to Paul’s hopes of returning to the boxing ring. However, there is still hope.

Is Jake Paul’s next fight now pushed to 2026?

Facing heavy criticism, YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul made it clear earlier this year that he doesn’t want to be seen as just another influencer stepping into the boxing ring. Most of his previous opponents have been veterans or retired fighters such as Ben Askren, Nate Diaz, Tyron Woodley, Anderson Silva, and even the much older Mike Tyson. This pattern has fueled widespread criticism, with many accusing Paul’s fights of being “staged.”

The controversy pushed Jake Paul’s co-promoter at Most Valuable Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian, to respond to journalist John Morgan, clarifying that the company is exploring legal options against anyone spreading fight-fixing claims. Meanwhile, ‘The Problem Child’ remained unfazed, viewing his upcoming clash with Gervonta Davis as an opportunity to validate his standing in the boxing world, despite the obvious size disparity between them.

However, after Gervonta Davis encountered legal issues, MVP announced they had canceled the November 14 bout. Despite that, MVP Promotions assured fans that Jake Paul will return to the ring by the end of the year. As per the latest statement from the promotion’s official account, “Our team has worked closely with all parties to navigate this situation responsibly,” said Nakisa Bidarian. “While we will not be moving forward with this event, our plan still remains for Jake Paul to headline an event on Netflix in 2025. Details regarding a new date, location, Jake’s opponent, and additional bouts will be shared as soon as they are finalized.”

As of now, Jake Paul’s next opponent remains under wraps. According to Mike Coppinger, the rescheduled bout is being discussed for either December 12 or December 19. Nothing is confirmed yet, but fans can expect an official update soon.