Admin, Author at Sport Buddy

Terence Crawford Officially Vacates WBA Belt, Handing The Title To Abass Baraou And Focusing On 168-Lb Reign

Terence Crawford has officially vacated his WBA junior middleweight title, and interim champion Abass Baraou has been elevated to the new champion status.

This move by Crawford (42-0, 31 KOs) comes after his victory over undisputed super middleweight champion Canelo Alvarez last Saturday, September 13, 2025, in Las Vegas.

JUST IN: Canelo Alvarez Couldn’t Do What Conor McGregor, Logan Paul Did Against Floyd Mayweather

KEEPING BELTS AS CANELO BAIT

It was a situation where Crawford, 37, had to decide which of the titles to hold onto from the 154 and 168. Considering that he’s likely still holding out hope for a lucrative rematch against Canelo, it made sense for him to hold onto his four super middleweight titles to use as a fishbait for the Mexican superstar.

Dismissing the Benavidez Option That’s pretty much the only reason why Crawford should want to hold onto the 168-lb belts, as he’s already dismissed the idea of defending against David Benavidez.

That would likely be the second-largest payday available, behind a rematch with Canelo, if Turki Alalshikh chooses to go in that direction. It’s a lot of money that would need to be invested by Turki for a Canelo-Crawford rematch; the fight provided very little entertainment value last Saturday, and was one of the dullest on the card. It may not be worth it because both underperformed and looked their ages in their superfight.

Crawford isn’t expected to defend his undisputed super middleweight championship against any of the other contenders at 168, aside from #1 WBC-ranked Canelo.

AN UNAPPEALING “OLD TIMER’S FIGHT”

Moreover, there’s no real drama in a second fight. Neither of them is going to drink from the Fountain of Youth, truth to regain their form from 10 years ago. Turki would be paying for an old timer’s fight if he puts on a second one.

“Official: Terence Crawford has vacated the Super Welterweight crown [154-lb] WBA and Baraou Abass is elevated to regular champion. Crawford now holds all the Super Middleweight titles 👑👑👑,” said Salvador Rodriguez of ESPN Knockout today.

Abass Baraou (17-1, 9 KOs) won the WBA interim junior middleweight title last month on August 23, defeating Yoenis Tellez by a 12-round unanimous decision in Orlando, Florida. The scores were 117-110, 115-112, and 116-111. Tellez-Baraou Punch Stats Baraou: 160 landed of 718 punches for 22.28% connect rate Tellez: 130 of 666 for 19.52% Baraou wants all the big fights now that he holds the WBA title, and he could begin getting them soon.

His #1-ranked contender is Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis, who is making his debut at 154 next month against Uisma Lima on October 11. Depending on whether Ennis’ promoter, Eddie Hearn, is on board with him challenging for the WBA title, Baraou could get his first big name.

BOXING

Canelo Alvarez Couldn’t Do What Conor McGregor, Logan Paul Did Against Floyd Mayweather

Terence Crawford dethroned Canelo Alvarez and claimed the undisputed super middleweight crown, making history yet again.

With a sold-out Allegiant Stadium roaring and millions tuning in worldwide, ‘Bud’ proved why he belongs in the conversation for the greatest fighters of all time. But in the shadow of Crawford’s triumph, old wounds from Alvarez’s past are being reopened.

UFC veteran Chael Sonnen, never one to shy away from speaking his mind, recently reminded fans of a night in 2013 when Canelo Alvarez stepped into the ring with Floyd Mayweather and left with a painful lesson. But more importantly, he even came up short when compared to Conor McGregor and Logan Paul!

JUST IN: Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez could end up facing opponen

Chael Sonnen calls out Canelo Alvarez’s performance against Floyd Mayweather

Speaking in a recent video on his YouTube channel, Sonnen began by stating, “There’s not usually a time in boxing where a guy can have anything but a zero in his loss column and the guy can still get over. Not only was that not the case, Canelo was valued, just dollars and cents, at 10 times more valuable than Crawford. Oh, by the way, Crawford is the only one that showed up with an undefeated record.”

‘The Bad Guy’ then turned the spotlight on Canelo Alvarez’s most famous defeat. While he made a slip-up with the Mexican superstar’s age, as he was 23 at the time, Sonnen further stated in the video, “When Canelo at 21 years old, got in there with an aging Floyd Mayweather, I believe Floyd was 36 at the time, if I’m wrong he was 35. I watched it live. It’s just been so long ago, been 12 or 13 years. But he lost 10 rounds. Canelo didn’t just lose to Floyd, he lost 10 rounds. Conor McGregor won multiple rounds against Floyd. Logan Paul won lots of rounds against Floyd.”

In his eyes, “I just thought that would help put things in perspective.” Now, the facts matter here. Conor McGregor‘s bout against Mayweather in 2017 was a professional contest, one that went into the record books. The Irishman surprised experts by starting strong, even taking early rounds on some cards before Mayweather’s experience carried him to a tenth-round stoppage. Many observers at the time, including legends like George Foreman and Mike Tyson, praised McGregor for exceeding expectations.

Logan Paul‘s 2021 exhibition was a different story. With no official winner announced, the social media star’s “victory” came in simply surviving eight rounds. Yet the fact that he made it the distance, despite being outclassed statistically, was enough to shift public perception.

As for Canelo Alvarez? His 2013 fight was a masterclass in Mayweather’s defensive genius. Despite being the bigger, younger man, he landed only 22% of his punches. Mayweather’s accuracy and control left Alvarez looking out of ideas. Fans and media alike scored it overwhelmingly for ‘Money’, even if one judge controversially called it a draw.

So, what does it all mean? Perhaps that legacy in boxing is not just about belts and records. It’s also about moments, the kind fans remember long after the final bell. And on that score, Conor McGregor and Logan Paul may have walked away with something Canelo Alvarez never did: moral victories against Floyd Mayweather. However, it’s not just Alvarez’s past that is now under the lens. Because according to a legendary boxer, Alvarez’s performance against Crawford left a lot to be desired!

Alvarez gets blasted by Oscar De La Hoya for hitting “air” against Terence Crawford

Oscar De La Hoya did not hold back. The former champion, who once promoted Canelo Alvarez, made it clear he saw the outcome coming before the first bell rang. After Crawford’s unanimous decision win, De La Hoya fired off a blunt assessment on Instagram as he stated, “I predicted the Canelo-Crawford fight like a goddamn fortune teller. Canelo’s feet were cemented on the canvas and he was hitting air. What the f– was that?”

Crawford, moving up three divisions, not only matched Alvarez physically but outclassed him technically. As such, De La Hoya continued with, “He just played with Canelo.” The former promoter also dismissed any excuses about age, pointing out that Crawford is older than Alvarez.

For De La Hoya, this wasn’t about decline; it was about exposure. “The only real fighters he’s faced were [Floyd] Mayweather, [Dmitry] Bivol and Crawford and they all toyed with him,” he stated. In his eyes, Canelo Alvarez’s career has been built on hype and favorable matchmaking, not true greatness.

Adding extra sting, De La Hoya even claimed Floyd Mayweather bet $50,000 on Crawford to win, calling it further proof that insiders knew how lopsided this matchup would be. Legacy in combat sports is rarely about numbers alone. It’s about moments that defy expectation, performances that echo in memory.

McGregor and Paul, outsiders who shocked the world by simply lasting with Mayweather, created unforgettable moments. But for Canelo Alvarez, the moments that should have defined him are instead the ones critics now use to tear him down.

BOXING

Middleweight ‘Nightmare’ Offers Terence Crawford The Chance To Become 6

A highly-rated unbeaten middleweight champion appears to have offered Terence Crawford a chance at becoming a world champion in a sixth weight division.

‘Bud’ Crawford wrote his name into the boxing history books on September 13 when he defeated Mexican great Canelo Alvarez in Las Vegas to capture the undisputed super-middleweight championship in what was his first ever appearance at 168lbs.

The judges scored the bout 116-112, 115-113 and 115-113 all in favour of the unbeaten American, who has all but cemented himself as the greatest fighter of his entire generation by becoming the first fighter in male boxing history to win an undisputed championship in three weight divisions.

JUST IN: Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez could end up facing opponen

With rumours already circulating about what could be next for ‘Bud’, one man that appears to be open to sharing the ring with the pound-for-pound great is unbeaten unified world middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly, who currently holds the IBF and WBO titles at 160lbs.

Posting on social media, the hard-hitting Alimkhanuly brandished himself as a ‘nightmare’ as speculation grows about a potential clash between himself and Crawford.

“Everyone knows who I am. I’m a middleweight nightmare.”

The 32-year-old Kazakhstan-native – who responded to Crawford’s interest in the middleweight division with a handshake emoji to symbolise his willingness to make the fight – remains unbeaten as a professional since he entered the paid ranks back in 2016, defeating all 17 of the opponents he has faced whilst racking up 12 stoppages along the way.

He made his most recent ring appearance back in April when he stopped the previously unbeaten Olympian Anauel Ngamissengue in the fifth round of their clash at the Barys Arena in Astana in a defence of his unified middleweight titles.

BOXING

Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez could end up facing opponen

Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez could end up facing opponents that fought to a draw earlier this year

Since their blockbuster fight in Las Vegas, there has been a lot of talk about what is next for Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez.

Crawford could try to line up some more dream matchups after becoming the undisputed super middleweight champion this past weekend.

It remains unclear whether ‘Bud’ will choose to stay at this weight class, which will impact the direction that he takes moving forward.

READ: The Biggest Loser From Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford Wasn’t Canelo

Following questions about his performance at Allegiant Stadium, Alvarez has been advised to complete a retirement tour by facing some of the marquee names he hasn’t competed against before.

While the two potential bouts wouldn’t make for the biggest spectacles, there was a recent contest that could end up producing the next opponents for both men.

Terence Crawford and Canelo Alvarez could end up targeting Carlos Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz

One of the fighters that has consistently targeted Canelo Alvarez in recent times is the highly-touted Brit Hamzah Sheeraz.

Sheeraz recently raised concerns about getting the Alvarez fight in February, which was the original timeframe that was being looked at for the Mexican star’s next bout with Riyadh Season.

The 26-year-old would certainly be an opponent that would make for a very interesting contest, though there might be bigger names on the 35-year-old’s hit list.

One option that could be available to Terence Crawford is fighting Carlos Adames for the WBC middleweight title.

Again, this wouldn’t be the biggest matchup for ‘Bud’, but it would give him the opportunity to move down to the division he skipped over to try and become a six-weight world champion.

Adames recently posted about the prospect of fighting a major name from the super middleweight division on social media.

I feel incredible!! Looking at the 160 and 168 divisions and how confident I am that I can beat them all.

— Carlos Adames (@BroncoAdames) September 18, 2025

This past February, Adames retained his WBC middleweight belt after fighting to a draw with Hamzah Sheeraz in Riyadh, ending his challenger’s win streak in the process.

Another fight that went to a draw could have implications for Terence Crawford

While Carlos Adames and Hamzah Sheeraz fought to a draw earlier this year, their bout had nothing on another recent title fight that ended in the same result.

Christian M’billi and Lester Martinez put on a fight of the year contender in their WBC interim super middleweight clash that took place several fights before Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford.

Earlier this week, the WBC ordered negotiations to start for a rematch between the two men in order to determine who will be the mandatory challenger for one of Crawford’s new belts.

There is also a chance that by the time this fight happens, ‘Bud’ may have vacated the title in order to move weight classes.

CELEB NEWS

Serena Williams Reveals the Real Reason Why She Used GLP-1 Medication to Lose Weight

**After sitting down for several interviews to discuss her use of GLP-1 weight loss medication, Serena Williams is opening up about why she opted to try the drugs in the first place.**

The four-time Olympic gold medalist joined the hosts of Today for a candid interview on Thursday, August 21, during which she explained that several of her family members had diabetes, thus leading her to consider taking a GLP-1.

“As an athlete and as someone that has done everything, I just couldn’t get my weight to where I needed to be at a healthy place, and believe me I don’t take shortcuts,” Williams said. “I do everything but shortcuts.”

READ: Brooks Nader responds to Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner ‘love triangle’ rumours

The mom-of-two has dropped 31 pounds since starting the medication. She also cited knee pain as a motivation to lose weight. “I had a lot of issues with my knees, especially after I had my kid,” Williams said. “That, quite frankly, definitely had an effect on maybe some wins that I could have had in my career.”

Though Williams did not disclose which medication she was prescribed, the tennis champion is currently a paid spokesperson for the telehealth company Ro, whose GLP-1 offerings include Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy.

“I was on and off (the medication) and now completely on,” she told Today. “It was a really good decision I had to make for my life, you know, I tried everything.”

Williams welcomed her first daughter Olympia in 2017 followed by her second, Adira, who was born in 2023. She shares her children with her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

“This all started after I had my (first) kid,” she recounted on Today. “As a woman, you go through different cycles in your life….No matter what I did—running, walking, I would walk for hours because they say that’s good, I literally was playing a professional sport—and I could never go back to where I needed to be for my health.”

She went on, “Then, after my second kid, it just even got harder. So then I was like, ‘Okay, I have to try something different.’ That’s kind of what led to this whole journey….Do I want to choose health? What do I want to do?”

BOXING

One key reason Why Terence Crawford shouldn’t fight Jake Paul ac

Terence Crawford shouldn’t fight Jake Paul for one key reason, according to former world champion

Terence Crawford should steer clear of Jake Paul, says a boxing legend.

Last Saturday, ‘Bud’ relieved Canelo Alvarez of his undisputed super middleweight world titles at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA.

READ: The Biggest Loser From Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford Wasn’t Canelo

Despite his tremendous ring IQ, there was nothing the Mexican could do to figure out his rival. Following the fight, Shane Mosley said Crawford would’ve beaten Floyd Mayweather.

Now, some fans would like to see the American take on ‘The Problem Child’. However, one boxing aficionado is adamantly against that idea.

Terence Crawford is above fighting Jake Paul, says Paulie Malignaggi

Terence Crawford is better than facing Jake Paul, according to Paulie Malignaggi.

‘The Magic Man’ would much rather see his countryman face fellow icons of the fight game.

In an episode of Boxing Scene Today, Malignaggi said: “There are MMA guys that are calling him out.

CELEB NEWS

Brooks Nader responds to Carlos Alcaraz & Jannik Sinner ‘love triangle’ rumours

Model and TV personality Brooks Nader refused to dwell on a rumoured ‘love triangle’ involving her, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner when quizzed about the situation on US television.

World No 1 Alcaraz and No 2 Sinner have dominated the men’s game in recent months, and their third straight meeting in a Grand Slam final saw the Spaniard claim his second US Open title and sixth Grand Slam title earlier this month.

However, in the days after the final between the world’s two best players, reports emerged that Sports Illustrated model Nader, 28, had been dating both Sinner and Alcaraz during the US Open.

READ: How Serena Williams breaks the myth about her true

Nader had initially been linked to 24-year-old Sinner during the tournament, though further rumours during the tournament connected the four-time Grand Slam champion to model Laila Hasanovic.

But, Nader’s older sister, Grace Ann, later claimed to E! News that Brooks was dating 22-year-old Alcaraz, describing him as the “man of the hour.”

This was later debunked by Spanish journalist Alberto Guzman, during an appearance on TV show No Somos Nadie.

“They [Nader and Alcaraz] are not a couple, it is not an official relationship,” said Guzman.

“He confirmed to his entourage that he is single and that he has no intention of having a serious relationship.

“Perhaps she [Grace Ann] is not well informed.”

Now, Brooks has been asked directly about reports of a rumoured ‘love triangle’ involving her and the two multiple-time Grand Slam winners during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen.

Asked directly by Cohen about reports connecting her to both Alcaraz and Sinner, the model did not address the rumours head on — but also offered little denial regarding either player.

She said: “I would just say, a lady never kisses and tells — especially twice, that’s just not nice.

“Dating is such a loose term these days. It’s just… I don’t know.

“By the way, my only thing is, guys do it all the time, so why can’t I do it?”

All eyes will be on whether and when either Alcaraz or Sinner responds to the rumours, with the former likely to be asked first about any connection to Nader.

Less than two weeks after his triumph in New York, the world No 1 will return to action at the Laver Cup in San Francisco, with the Spaniard likely to play a leading role for Team Europe in the competition.

He will then head to Tokyo to make his debut appearance at the Japan Tennis Open the following week, while Sinner will return to action at the China Open in Beijing.

Both men are then set to compete at the Shanghai Masters, where they will be in line to meet in the final.

CELEB NEWS

Bryson DeChambeau Recalls ‘Nerve-Wracking’ Tiger Woods Mome

Bryson DeChambeau Recalls ‘Nerve-Wracking’ Tiger Woods Moment at Ryder Cup

Every Ryder Cup leaves behind lasting memories, no matter who wins. And for Bryson DeChambeau, that memory came with none other than the GOAT himself, Tiger Woods.

The two-time US Open winner, who will make his third Ryder Cup appearance this year, made his debut in 2018.

READ: How Greg Norman ‘heard’ that Tiger Woods prevented him from

That week, DeChambeau was paired with the 15-time major champion in one of the most intense environments imaginable.

“My first one, Tiger (Woods) telling me to hit the first tee shot at Le Golf National,” DeChambeau explained in an interview with the Ryder Cup team. “I didn’t know what to do or think,” he continued. “I was very much thrown in the fire.

“Playing with Tiger was nerve-racking for me. He’s an intimidating guy and I love the guy and think he’s amazing, but it was wild to see how everybody reacted and treated us, obviously being overseas. That was my — my biggest memory was playing with Tiger on the first tee.”

That match didn’t go Team USA’s way. DeChambeau and Woods lost their foursomes match 5 and 4 to Europe’s Francesco Molinari and Tommy Fleetwood.

It was part of a tough debut for Bryson, who went 0-3-0 that week, also losing alongside Phil Mickelson and in singles against Alex Noren.

But the memories weren’t all bruises.

DeChambeau also shared a hilarious moment with Phil Mickelson

“(Mickelson) wasn’t playing that great then he goes, ‘Bryson, I just need a pep talk right now. You need to give me a pep talk,'” Bryson laughed as he recalled during the same conversation.

“As a veteran, the second most winning golfer in our era, for me to give him a pep talk down the third fairway, I was like, ‘This is so wrong. The roles have been reversed. What’s going on?’ That was nuts,” he added during the interview posted on the Ryder Cup’s YouTube channel.

That wasn’t it, Bryson also recalled a similar moment from the 2020 Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, where he fired a 340-yard drive that reached the front edge of the green on a par-4.

Bryson Dechambeau 🤝 Big moments at the Ryder Cup 🇺🇸 #GoUSA pic.twitter.com/NEjEH6TI3M

— Ryder Cup USA (@RyderCupUSA) September 16, 2025

“When I hit that shot and rose the putter up I was like, ‘This is it. This is what golf’s all about,'” he stated during the interview.

DeChambeau’s Ryder Cup record stands at 2-3-1. After a rough start in 2018, he bounced back in 2021, going undefeated and delivering a win over Sergio Garcia.

The ‘Break-50’ guy was recently also praised by Captain Keegan Bradley for showing up at the Procore Championship last week to support the squad.

While Scottie Scheffler took the win, the LIV golfers’ presence was a bold statement screaming how dedicated he is to winning this year.\\

BOXING

The Biggest Loser From Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford Wasn’t Canelo

With Terence Crawford leaving Allegiant Stadium as the undisputed super middleweight champion, much of the boxing landscape has changed.

The result creates a lot of intrigue, and one obvious loser not named Canelo Alvarez.

Alvarez certainly lost a lot on Saturday night. He cedes all his titles to Crawford, leaving him without a world title first the first time since 2015. But as poorly as the night went for him, it was even worse for Jaron ‘Boots’ Ennis.

Without even fighting, Ennis’ career took a major hit on Saturday. More specifically, he lost the biggest opportunity that was potentially on the table. The biggest story of Ennis’ career over the last year has been his case to be Crawford’s next opponent, a narrative that effectively died on Sept. 13.

JUST IN: Why Fans are backing out of Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis after key

The fight is not entirely off the table, but it is holding on by a thread. Losing it does not necessarily hurt Ennis’ career, but it removes the most lucrative opportunity within his grasp.

Jaron Ennis is the biggest loser from Canelo-Crawford fallout

Ennis has been a star on the rise for years and is finally starting to turn the corner. His popularity has increased as his title reign progressed, leading to his 154-pound debut in October against Uisma Lima.

Along with Ennis’ rise in popularity came the fan push for him to fight Crawford. The two share similar career arcs, doing most of their best work at welterweight, before moving up to 154 pounds in the last year.

At 37, Crawford has been open about seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. His activity has taken a nosedive lately, with just two fights since July 2023. At this stage of his career, Crawford is only fighting when it makes sense, and Ennis seemed to fit the bill.

The Alvarez fight certainly fit the bill, but it seemed like just a blip on the radar. Many felt that Crawford would lose as the smaller man. Even with those who believed in his skill set, not many expected a permanent move up to super middleweight.

But throughout the build to the fight, Crawford made it known that he was not taking the fight as a one-off. He dedicated months to putting on an adequate size to make Alvarez respect him as a legitimate 168-pound fighter. The effort was evident in his physique, and ‘Bud’ looked as smooth as ever while fighting with the added weight.

Ennis’ hopes of fighting Crawford went up in flames when he got his hand raised at the end of the night, but it truly died in the post-fight press conference. Crawford rejected any notion that he would return to 154 pounds, saying he would fight out the remainder of his career in his new weight class, if he is returning to the ring at all.

“Would you consider going back down to 154lbs. & face Jaron Ennis?”

Terence Crawford: “No. I ain’t going down to 154lbs.”#Boxing #CaneloCrawford
🥊🥊🥊

🎥: @FightHubTV pic.twitter.com/RGyipH39dE

— Danny (@dantheboxingman) September 14, 2025

Losing Crawford is far from the end for Ennis, but the massive money fight that seemed just within reach is now gone. Perhaps getting the fight was Ennis’ motivation for moving up in weight to begin with, but regardless, it is now light years away.

Ennis already has his hands full with Lima, but the betting odds suggest he will handle that fight with ease. Winning that fight is priority No. 1, but Ennis needs to impress in his debut if he is going to become the pay-per-view star he believes he can be.

Should he get past Lima, there are still other lucrative options. Sebastian Fundora seems to have the most momentum in the division, with Xander Zayas and Vergil Ortiz Jr. also presenting valuable opportunities. Ennis fighting any one of those three would be enough to headline a fight card that fans would look forward to.

Regardless of what happens next, the Crawford-Ennis discussions will be almost entirely forgotten about a year from now. It might not have ever meant anything to Crawford, but what seemed like a massive opportunity for Ennis just a few months ago has now evaporated.

BOXING

Why Fans are backing out of Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis after key

Fans back out of Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis after key detail is confirmed

Fans are ready to move on from Jake Paul’s upcoming bout with Gervonta Davis due to the ruleset.

There has been a lot of negativity surrounding Paul’s next bout ever since it was initially announced.

Critics immediately pointed to the huge height and weight difference between ‘The Problem Child’ and the boxing star that he has set his sights on.

JUST IN: Major Rule Announced For Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis That Has

However, it isn’t just some of the fans who took issue with the matchup seemingly being a physical mismatch despite their respective skill levels.

Paul’s clash with Gervonta Davis will now take place in Florida after receiving pushback from Georgia, which has led to some more details being revealed.

Fans react to Florida Athletic Commission confirming that Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis will take place as an exhibition

Speaking to USA TODAY Sports, the executive director of the Florida Athletic Commission, Timothy Shipman, confirmed that Jake Paul will face Gervonta Davis in an exhibition match.

“You can’t do a fight like that as a pro fight,” Shipman said. “It’ll be an exhibition fight.’’

Similarly to the concerning location move, he states that the main reason for this is the significant weight discrepancy between the two opponents.

An exhibition is defined by Florida statutes as “a boxing, kickboxing, or mixed martial arts engagement in which persons participating show or display their skill without necessarily striving to win using strikes and blows to the head or other full-contact maneuvers.”

While it always seemed like this was going to be the case once the bout was announced, this recent confirmation caused some fans to draw a line under the contest once and for all.

‘Yup. A fake fight and absolutely no one asked for. Will be a complete joke on an event.’

‘So a glorified pillow fight.’

‘Don’t watch it boxing fans and if it’s PPV certainly don’t buy it. Glorified spar, bigger gloves and no one can win. Both will hug at the end and walk away with millions, while your pockets will be lighter, don’t do it.’

‘So it’s official, they won’t be trying to hurt and knock each other out. What’s the point in this circus?’

‘This fight is dumb…’

‘Take another advantage off Tank then? Yeah, why not. 80lbs and now pillow gloves. Will be making him wear lead boots next.’

🚨 Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis will be an exhibition with “larger gloves,” according to Florida Athletic Commission executive director Timothy Shipman

“You can’t do a fight like that as a pro fight, it’ll be an exhibition. I’m looking at the details right now. I’m sure there… pic.twitter.com/ALypjjKx4g

— Happy Punch (@HappyPunch) September 19, 2025

Jake Paul’s promotion had suggested wearing larger gloves to counter the weight discrepancy

Some of the replies listed above made reference to the fight taking place in “larger gloves” as another knock on the legitimacy of the bout.

While it appears that this quote was incorrectly attached to the Florida Athletic Commission’s Timothy Shipman, it was suggested by Most Valuable Promotions.

The article from USA TODAY Sports reports that MVP were prepared to accept the fight being an exhibition in the original location of Georgia and that they would take extra safety precautions to have the weight restrictions lifted.

These included wearing larger 12-ounce gloves and both fighters undergoing anti-doping tests via the US Anti-Doping Agency, or USADA.