"They Offered 20 or 25 Million": Ryan Garcia on Why He Rejected the Jake Paul Fight

American boxer Ryan Garcia has revealed that he was offered a staggering $20 to $25 million to face cruiserweight boxer and YouTuber Jake Paul. The offer reportedly came after Paul’s planned matchup with WBA lightweight champion Gervonta "Tank" Davis fell through.

“They offered me 20 or 25 million, but I said no because it’s just money, right? Easy money. It’s nothing.

I wanted a world title. In my heart, I wanted to fight for a world title, so I said, ‘No, I won’t.’ It would have distracted me from my goal,” Garcia stated.

However, Garcia's former rival and WBC welterweight champion Devin Haney was quick to cast doubt on the claim, suggesting the decision wasn't actually Ryan's to make.

“This dude just lies with a straight face... No, Oscar De La Hoya told you that you weren't allowed!” Haney wrote on social media.

The backdrop to these negotiations was a chaotic end to 2025 for the potential participants. Jake Paul (12-2, 7 KOs) was unable to secure the Davis fight after the latter faced legal issues. Instead, Paul stepped up to face Anthony Joshua on December 19, 2025, where he was knocked out in the 6th round, reportedly suffering a double jaw fracture in the process. Meanwhile, Gervonta Davis remains wanted by police on several serious charges, including battery and attempted kidnapping.