The Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis exhibition fight has seen major changes since its announcement last month. Originally slated to take place at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, the bout was forced to relocate after the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission refused to sanction it due to the sheer weight difference. The fight will now unfold at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida, under a new set of stipulations.
The highly anticipated contest on Netflix is scheduled for ten rounds, with fighters wearing 12-ounce gloves and a maximum weight cap of 195 pounds. If the fight goes the distance, the outcome will be decided by the judges. Yet, not everyone is on board with the current setup. At the latest press conference in Florida, Davis’ trainer, Calvin Ford, voiced concerns and called for specific rule changes ahead of the clash.
What rules did Gervonta Davis’ trainer want changed?
“Why couldn’t [Paul] take 10 [ounce gloves, and Davis] had 8, it’s only a difference of 4 ounces,” Ford asked during the presser. Paul pushed back, insisting it was Davis’ camp that originally wanted 12-ounce gloves, adding, “I’ll do eight. I’ll do four. I’ll do two.” Davis’ trainer quickly countered, “If anyone said that, I’m going to go with that.” Paul then turned to Davis directly, asking if he was fine with the change in glove size.
“That’s great. That’s more exciting for the fans. Thank God. I wanted really it badly. Let’s do it,” Paul replied confidently. Shortly after, Ryan Garcia—who had previously criticized the use of 12-ounce gloves—took to X to show his approval. “Great question from Coach Calvin… It only makes sense, since the weight difference is absurd, and it was the point I was making, now that would make it INTERESTING AND I CAN SEE THAT BEING RESPECTFUL.”
Although the adjustment hasn’t been made official yet, such a change would likely benefit Davis. The lightweight champion is accustomed to fighting in 8-ounce gloves in the lower weight classes, where his knockout power shines. Meanwhile, Paul, as a cruiserweight, usually competes with 10-ounce gloves.
While Garcia aligns with Gervonta Davis‘ team, he is simultaneously engaged in a feud with Jake Paul.
Ryan Garcia brands Jake Paul ‘dishonest’ over response to WWE remark
After learning about the Paul vs. Davis fight, Garcia hopped on X to claim that boxing has turned into WWE. “Boxing is officially the WWE,’’ he wrote on his X account. “This just proves that the new blueprint is get popular be a decent fighter,’’ Garcia added. “Pick fights to win that gives you advantage and continue to rack in money. Integrity of the sport is getting ruined everyday. If you are a up and coming fighter I’d just focused on strictly building your name.’’
In an interview with Dan Canobbio, Paul responded to Garcia’s criticism, stating, “Is that like a bad thing? WWE is a 12 billion dollar company… I think he is just mad that I am gonna get an opportunity to beat ‘Tank’, and he obviously got knocked out and embarrassed, so his insecurities are coming out.” Garcia has since fired back, calling Paul’s take dishonest. “It’s really sad to see how dishonest he is,” Garcia wrote on X.
“You are 200 pounds plus, you’ll make the 195-pound limit, then shoot to 215 most likely. And you lie to yourself to hype yourself up, you are fighting a 135-pound fighter, but you don’t see how that is a bit misleading. Lying to yourself sucks,” Garcia added.
From the looks of things, Gervonta Davis may soon get an advantage over Jake Paul if the glove sizes are changed. But can he use this to knock out Jake Paul? Or will Jake Paul, who has faced criticism for the fight, still prevail?