Miami, FL – November 1, 2025: The biggest boxing event of November just hit a MASSIVE roadblock. Gervonta “Tank” Davis, the undefeated WBA lightweight champion, set to face Jake Paul in what was supposed to be Netflix’s record-breaking live event on November 14th, is now facing explosive allegations of domestic violence, assault, kidnapping, and death threats. The timing? Absolutely disastrous. And the fight? Potentially in jeopardy.
The Lawsuit That Has Everyone Shook
Just two weeks before fight night, Davis was hit with a civil lawsuit filed in Miami-Dade County on October 30th, 2025. The plaintiff? Courtney Rossel, his ex-girlfriend, accusing the 30-year-old boxing champion of battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
According to attorneys Richard C. Wolfe of Wolfe Law Miami, P.A., and Jeff C. Chukwuma of Chukwuma Law Group, P.A., Rossel claims Davis showed up at her workplace, Tootsies Cabaret, a Miami gentlemen’s club where she worked as a VIP cocktail waitress, in the early morning hours of October 27th, 2025, and allegedly attacked her.
“He choked, grabbed, pulled, pushed and hit me in the back of the head,”
Rossel said in her complaint.
“He then grabbed and dragged me through a stairway, through the kitchen, and through the back entrance all the way into the parking garage,”
she added, claiming he continued the assault as she screamed for help.
The horror of what Rossel alleges is truly shocking.
“I’ll Kill You”: The Chilling Text Messages
According to ESPN, which obtained a copy of the lawsuit, Rossel had been in a five-month relationship with Davis before the October 27th incident. She alleges at least four prior instances of physical assault and choking, including death threats.
- September 2nd: Davis allegedly threatened to kill Rossel for not responding to his calls and texts.
- September 23rd: Davis allegedly texted, “I’ll kill you”, after accusing Rossel of infidelity.
- October 27th: After the strip club incident, he allegedly texted, “I’m on my way! Yo ya house.” Rossel interpreted this as another threat of harm.
The lawsuit paints a terrifying picture of someone living in constant fear, suffering from severe PTSD. Rossel has reportedly sought medical treatment and therapy following the alleged attacks.
A Pattern of Violence?
This isn’t Davis’ first brush with domestic violence allegations.
- July 2025: Davis was arrested in Miami Beach following an alleged domestic dispute with another ex-girlfriend, the mother of two of his children.
- According to police reports, Davis allegedly punched her on the rear of her head and slapped her in the face after a verbal dispute. This case was dropped after the woman declined to prosecute.
- Previous incidents allegedly date back to 2017, including charges in 2020, 2022, and July 2025, highlighting a troubling pattern, according to attorneys Wolfe and Chukwuma.
“This lawsuit represents a continuation of disturbing allegations against Davis,”
the complaint reads.
Jake Paul Fight Now in Jeopardy
The Paul vs. Davis fight was scheduled to stream globally on Netflix from Miami’s Kaseya Center on November 14th, 2025, with projections to break records after Paul’s previous fight with Mike Tyson drew 108 million live viewers.
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated reported that Netflix and Jake Paul’s team are exploring potential replacements for Davis, including names like Ryan Garcia, Deontay Wilder, and even Sugar Ray Leonard (though the latter is obviously a joke).
Neither Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) nor Davis’ camp responded to inquiries, and his coach, Calvin Ford, told USA Today the allegations are false but provided no additional comment. The silence speaks volumes.
Ticket Sales Were Already Struggling
Adding fuel to the fire, ticket sales for the fight were reportedly struggling before the lawsuit dropped. Prices at Miami’s Kaseya Center were reduced from $223 to $91, with attendance projections falling short of the 20,000 target. Critics had already questioned the matchup as an exhibition rather than a sanctioned professional bout.
Rick Thompson, chairman of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, called the bout “the dumbest [expletive] I’ve ever heard” and labeled it a money grabber before it was even moved to Miami.
Broader Conversation: Domestic Violence in Combat Sports
The allegations against Davis spotlight a larger problem in combat sports: the pattern of domestic violence among high-profile fighters and the sport’s inconsistent response.
- Courtney Rossel is seeking compensatory and punitive damages through a civil jury trial.
- The case raises questions about whether professional athletes will finally face consequences for repeated alleged abuses.
The lawsuit emphasizes, “Victims deserve to be heard, believed, and protected.”
What Happens Next?
As of November 1st, 2025, the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis fight is officially up in the air. Netflix and the promoters have not confirmed whether the fight will proceed. If Davis withdraws or is forced out:
- Ryan Garcia could step in, having expressed prior interest.
- Deontay Wilder, the 40-year-old heavyweight, is also being considered.
The clock is ticking. With less than two weeks to fight night, a decision must come fast.
Bottom Line
Gervonta “Tank” Davis faces serious allegations of domestic violence, assault, kidnapping, and death threats against Courtney Rossel, just two weeks before his highly anticipated fight with Jake Paul.
- Rossel suffers from PTSD and fear for her life.
- The lawsuit alleges a pattern of abuse, citing past incidents and prior arrests.
- Netflix and fight promoters are evaluating replacement options, leaving the fight’s future uncertain.
The allegations are serious, the evidence appears substantial, and the timing couldn’t be worse for everyone involved.
DISCLAIMER: Gervonta Davis has not publicly responded to the specific allegations in the Courtney Rossel lawsuit filed on October 30, 2025. His coach Calvin Ford told USA Today the allegations are false but provided no additional comment. Davis’s previous domestic violence case from July 2025 was dropped after the alleged victim declined to prosecute. The allegations described in this article come from a civil lawsuit and have not been proven in criminal court. All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
