LAST night, reality hit home for fans who are looking forward to Jake Paul’s exhibition clash with Gervonta Davis, as the size difference became evident at the press conference for the event. There, the rules for the controversial bout were also confirmed.
Boxing fans around the globe let out a collective sigh when it was revealed that reigning WBA lightweight world champion Gervonta Davis, 30-0-1 (28 KOs), had swerved a rematch with Lamont Roach Jr. in favour of an exhibition against Jake Paul, 12-1 (7 KOs).
However, despite being tasked with an opponent who naturally fights seven divisions higher than he, the proposal would have been tough to turn down for Davis, given the finances on offer.
Still, there remained confusion regarding the rules for the fight, with supporters confused as to what weight Paul would be permitted to fight at, what size gloves he and ‘Tank’ would sport and whether a winner would be decided.
Yesterday, at the press conference for the event, Most Valuable Promotions CEO Nakisa Bidarian declared the rules for the bout, one of which appeared to be news to Davis, as captured in a clip from Happy Punch.
NB – “There will be a victor because the fighters have agreed, and the commission has approved, a maximum weight of 195lbs for this exhibition.
GD – “Y’all said it was 190lbs.”
NB – “The fight is 195lbs, Tank, as you know, [contested] over 10 x three-minute rounds, and when Tank and Jake enter the squared circle to go to battle, they will be wearing 12-ounce gloves.
“[There will be] three commission-approved, world-class professional judges – who will score every round to ensure that there is a decisive outcome for the fight, if it goes the distance. Both men are enrolled in the highest level of [drug] testing with USADA.”
Upon hearing the rules, one fan commented that the fight was embarrassing for the sport due to the weight differentials, comparing it to Floyd Mayweather’s WWE scrap against Big Show in 2008.
“So embarrassing for the sport. If Jake Paul doesn’t win convincingly, he may as well never lace a glove again. It’s the biggest mismatch since Big Show v Mayweather.”
Paul and Davis then faced off, as ‘El Gallo’ towered over the seemingly uninterested WBA 135lb champion – a weight 65lbs lighter than the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s natural division.
Paul-Tank takes place on Friday, November 14, at the Kaseya Center in Miami and will be available to watch live on Netflix. Although, whilst reputations are on the line, the outcome of the contest will not impact either man’s professional record.
