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Gervonta Davis Doesn’t Care If Fans Are Mad He’s Fighting Jake Paul, Not Lamont Roach

Gervonta Davis doesn’t care if boxing fans are bothered by him fighting Jake Paul rather than taking a rematch with Lamont Roach.

 

The unbeaten WBA lightweight champion stated exactly that during a press conference Monday night in New York to promote his November 14 bout with Paul at Kaseya Center in Miami.

 

“Why should I care? Why should I care what they think, when y’all switch?,” Davis asked. “Y’all switch. Somebody can have a bad day and y’all switching on who y’all favorite fighter is or who this person is supposed to fight. Like y’all need to sit back and be fans and just enjoy the sport. Like y’all even talk about people personal lives. Like when it come to that?”
Jake Paul clowns Gervonta Davis for fumbling fight date at first Netflix  press conference

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A frustrated Davis is obviously bothered by the public’s reaction to his 12-round majority draw with Roach on March 1 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. The powerful southpaw from Baltimore entered the ring as a 16-1 favorite, yet Roach gave Davis the most difficult fight of his career.

 

If referee Steve Willis correctly called a knockdown when Davis took a knee early in the ninth round, the three-division champion would’ve lost on the scorecards.

 

Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs), seemingly intent to redeem himself, exercised his contractual right to an immediate rematch with Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs). It was pushed back twice, however, before Baltimore’s Davis ultimately decided to oppose Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) in a higher-profile event Netflix will stream worldwide.
Paul, a cruiserweight, most recently weighed in 65 pounds higher than Davis did for his fight with Roach. The rules regarding their fight haven’t been specified.
The prevailing opinion among boxing fans is Davis didn’t want to fight Roach again. The 30-year-old Davis argued Monday that he is held to a different standard than some of his contemporaries.
“And y’all keep on talking about fighting somebody?,” Davis said before alluding to Paul. “Didn’t he just have a fight? Didn’t he just have a fight? And what happened? What happened? What happened? He won, right? But how he look in it? Exactly. But y’all say some different [expletive] when it’s me, right? Because y’all want me to lose.
“When y’all see people in that limelight too long, they want somebody else, you know, to come take that spot. That’s why it’s always like, c’mon, bro. That’s what happened with Floyd. Y’all seen him too much and once y’all seen him so much, y’all started hatin’ on him. Like it turned from love to hate. You know?”

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.

Jake Paul holds his finger to his lips at a press conference for his fight with Mike Tyson, inset Gervonta Davis poses on the scales ahead of his f...

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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’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.

Major Rule Announced For Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis That Has Fans Saying Fight Is ‘Waste Of Time’

Further clarity has been revealed ahead of the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis fight.

YouTuber-turned-boxer Paul is set to face WBA lightweight champion Davis at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida on Friday 14 November, after it was moved from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

The bout has received criticism from some of the boxing world due to the massive weight and size difference between the two men, with Paul having weighed as heavy as 227lbs in his boxing career, while ‘Tank’ has never competed above the 140lb limit.

Major Rule Announced For Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis That Has Fans Saying Fight Is ‘Waste Of Time’

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Last time out, Paul fought at cruiserweight when he defeated former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr in June, while Davis was held to a majority decision draw in his WBA lightweight title defence against Lamont Roach in March.

It was believed that ‘Tank’ would have an immediate rematch with Roach until he instead he opted for the clash with Paul, but it had yet to be officially revealed what the rules the pair would be fighting under.

Executive director of the Florida Athletic Commission Timothy Shipman has now confirmed some of the plans, after he explained to USA Today that the clash will be an exhibition.

“You can’t do a fight like that as a pro fight. It’ll be an exhibition fight. “I’m looking at the details right now. I mean, it’s happening pretty fast. But I am sure there will be other stipulations because you can’t do it with the same requirements.”

Some fans have reacted poorly to the news, with one branding it ‘a waste of time’ – while another described it as a ‘clown show.’

Paul and Davis are set to meet at their first press conference on Monday, where the big size difference will be visible for the first time.

Jake Paul is set to face off against Gervonta “Tank” Davis in what will be the toughest test yet in his boxing career.

Despite the pair agreeing to a bout on November 14, a massive change to the fight has already been made. Paul announced the change via his Most Valuable Promotions. According to the promotion, the planned Paul vs. Davis bout is being moved from Atlanta, Georgia, to Miami, Florida.

The fight was supposed to take place at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, which has a reported capacity of 17,000. Now, it moves to the Kaseya Center, where the Miami Heat play their games. The Kaseya Center holds 20,000 people.

Jake Paul Gervonta Davis

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Paul vs. Davis will still be streamed globally on Netflix, and fans can watch the matchup at no extra cost on the streamer. Considering the venue change, Paul, Davis, and MVP co-founder Nakisa Bidarian all made statements about the move via a press release.

“New city, same mission, seek and destroy the tank,” said Jake Paul. “Kaseya Center. Friday, November 14. I’m bringing the heat, and Miami will see me take down this angry elf while the world watches live on Netflix.” “Jake Paul has been cherry picking in the sport of boxing for a while now, but he picked the wrong opponent this time,” said Tank Davis.

“He better start losing some weight, chasing some chickens, and pray that helps him some on fight night! Thank you to Netflix for giving me the opportunity to whoop this clown!”

“Most Valuable Promotions, together with Netflix, is bringing the most disruptive fight of the year to Miami, and we could not be more thrilled to showcase this blockbuster event at Kaseya Center,” said Nakisa Bidarian, co-founder of Most Valuable Promotions.

“On Friday, November 14, fans in Miami and tens of millions watching globally will witness two of boxing’s most electrifying stars collide in a once-in-a-lifetime showdown. We’re grateful to State Farm Arena and the GAEC for their support in this process.”

Paul most recently defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. by unanimous decision in June, and received a world ranking of #74 in the cruiserweight division as a result of his victory. For Davis, he most recently fought Lamont Roach Jr., but their bout ended in a draw.

There were rumors that Roach and Davis would rematch, but he instead chose to fight Paul. It will be interesting to see if Paul can keep pace with the WBA lightweight title holder.

The status of the proposed fight between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis – under scrutiny because of the weight discrepancy between the two fighters – has grown murky.

Rick Thompson, chairman of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission (GAEC), told USA TODAY Sports on Tuesday, Sept. 16 that the promoter had withdrawn their request for event permits and rule waivers required to hold the event in Georgia.

The promoter was Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Paul and business partner Nakisa Bidarian.

Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis begin to prepare for their fight with Floyd  Mayweather in their sights | Marca

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“I believe it’s in the public’s interest to know that because they’ve been promoting something they should not have been,’’ Thompson said when reached by USA TODAY Sports.

In fact, on Tuesday, Sept. 16, tickets still were available for purchase online and the fight still was listed on the State Farm Arena event calendar, to be held Nov. 14. MVP announced the fight, which is supposed to be carried by Netflix, on Aug. 20.

MVP did not respond to questions about the fight submitted by email and text message.

One rule waiver MVP had requested would have addressed the weight discrepancy between Paul and Davis. Paul weighed in at 199½ pounds for his last fight and Davis weighed in at 133¾ pounds for his last fight.

The GAEC commission is scheduled to meet Thursday and was expected to vote on MVP’s requests. MVP needed the votes of three of the five commissioners for approval, and the chairman – one of the five commissioners – adamantly opposed the rule waiver that would have modified restrictions on the allowed weight difference between fighters.

“They probably evaluated a situation, knew that their weight differences were too much,’’ Thompson said.

Thompson said he was notified of MVP’s decision Tuesday by GAEC executive director Matt Woodruff.

In an interview with USA TODAY Sports Sept. 8, Thompson blasted the fight, calling it “the dumbest (expletive) I’ve ever heard.” He also said he didn’t think Paul was a competitive fighter.

But on Tuesday, Thompson said he hoped MVP could reconsider holding the proposed undercard for the Paul-Davis bout in Atlanta.

“We would love for the undercard to still fight in the state of Georgia,’’ he said. “We believe the undercard is something people would like to see.’’

An interview Gervonta Davis gave last December has resurfaced, and is the clearest indication yet that ‘Tank’ is ready to walk away from the sport.

The chat with Dan Canobbio sheds light on the mindset of the unbeaten star as speculation mounts that his fight with Jake Paul could be the final chapter of his career.

Speaking to Inside Boxing Live months before talks of a Paul bout began, Davis admitted he no longer felt the same desire to continue in the sport, linking his inner fire to the struggles he carries outside the ring.

Gervonta Davis

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The mental anguish of becoming a ‘civilian’ and rehabilitating the character that had landed him in trouble with the law on multiple occasions could also explain his performance against Lamont Roach that spring.

Gervonta Davis is ready to walk away
Davis and Roach fought out a draw, and the former decided against the rematch, opting instead to face the YouTuber in November on Netflix.

“That’s why I don’t want to box no more,” Davis told Cannobio. “I want to do therapy right, but I feel as though if I do therapy, I will lose the fire that is inside of me.

“I want everything out of me. I’ll never think about fighting again, and I don’t even think about getting angry.

“I have two girls, two daughters, and I’m wanting to be much softer, be more humble, and things like that.”

Davis’ words still resonate as he prepares for what could be one of the most high-profile crossover fights in boxing history. The Baltimore knockout artist, once seen as the sport’s future pay-per-view king, is openly questioning whether his heart remains in the game.

From fighter to father
His reflections highlighted a conflict between the aggression required inside the ring and the softer role he now craves as a father of two young daughters.

The comments came after a series of high-profile incidents, including a short prison stint following a hit-and-run and viral footage of altercations involving Davis against a woman. For many fans, his latest words suggest he may be intent on leaving the chaos behind once and for all.

With Davis facing off against Paul in a cruiserweight bout, fans will wonder if this could be the swan song for the WBA lightweight champion.

His remarks from late 2024 remain valid as the boxing world speculates on whether therapy, family, and a new life outside the sport will ultimately take priority over his unbeaten record.

Davis’s Legal Troubles Cast Shadow Over A Recent Battery Arrest On June 15—have stirred further uncertainty about the bout’s future

The future of the long-awaited rematch between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. has been thrown into deeper uncertainty following Davis’s recent run-in with the law.

On June 15, the undefeated lightweight star was arrested on battery charges, marking the latest in a string of off-ring legal issues. The arrest has reignited concerns over whether the fight—once scheduled for this summer—will move forward at all.

Davis, a three-division world champion known for his devastating knockout power, was already facing scrutiny after the controversial outcome of his March 1, 2025, bout with Roach, which ended in a majority draw. The contentious decision, fueled by debate over a ninth-round knockdown, led to intense calls for an immediate rematch. That bout was initially set for August, but scheduling hurdles and now Davis’s legal troubles have left the fight in limbo.

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Jake Paul Anthony Joshua

Promoters have yet to announce a new date, and insiders say Davis’s court proceedings could play a significant role in determining the bout’s future. While his camp has denied speculation about retirement, the arrest has undoubtedly complicated negotiations and promotional plans.

For Lamont Roach Jr., the delay is another frustrating chapter in a rivalry that has captured the attention of boxing fans. The Washington, D.C. native has remained vocal about his desire to run it back, while Davis’s focus appears increasingly divided between his legal defense and his career inside the ropes.

As the case develops, the boxing world watches closely. The outcome will determine whether the Davis-Roach rivalry reignites in the ring—or fades into what-might-have-been territory.

The Highly Anticipated Rematch Between Davis vs. Roach Plunged Into Uncertainty as August Date Falls Through

The highly anticipated rematch between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Lamont Roach Jr. is now shrouded in uncertainty, with no official date in sight.

Once touted as one of the biggest fights of the summer, the bout was initially penciled in for August after a heated first encounter on March 1, 2025, ended in a controversial majority draw. The result—fueled by debate over a ninth-round knockdown that many believe should have been scored for Roach—set the stage for what was expected to be a blockbuster return clash.

But those plans have since unraveled. The August target date has been scrapped, and according to insiders, neither Premier Boxing Champions nor the fighters’ camps have confirmed a new timeline for the fight. Lamont Roach Sr., who also serves as his son’s trainer, recently acknowledged that no concrete arrangements are in place.

READ MORE : Gervonta Davis Names The Only Fighter Whose Power

Compounding matters is Davis’s turbulent off-ring situation. The lightweight star’s recent legal troubles, including an arrest in June, have cast further doubt on whether the rematch can be salvaged this year. While Davis’s camp has publicly dismissed retirement rumors as “fake news,” the clock is ticking on promotional logistics and fan anticipation.

Gervonta Davis

For Roach, the delay is both a professional and emotional blow. The 130-pound contender has made it clear he wants the rematch to settle the score, while Davis—known for his knockout power—faces mounting pressure to deliver both in the ring and in public perception.

With the fight now in limbo, boxing fans are left waiting for clarity. Whether the two will eventually meet again under the bright lights or take separate paths remains to be seen. One thing, however, is certain—the longer the wait, the higher the stakes.

Gervonta Davis Names The Only Fighter Whose Power Had Him In Trouble

Gervonta Davis has revealed the only fighter to have ever caused him some trouble in the ring.

The unbeaten 30-year-old from Baltimore, Maryland currently reigns as the WBA lightweight champion, a title he has held since he defeated Yuriorkis Gamboa back in December of 2019.

Aside from reigning as a world champion at 135lbs, ‘Tank’ has also captured world titles at super-featherweight and super-lightweight, defeating the likes of Leo Santa Cruz, Isaac Cruz and Ryan Garcia along the way.

Boxing: What did Gervonta Davis yell to Rolando Romero's coach before KO? |  Marca

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He came very close to being handed the first defeat of his career back in March when he fought to a majority decision draw against fellow countryman Lamont Roach, although many fans and analysts believed the challenger had done more than enough to get his hand raised.

Speaking to the media just before his controversial showdown with Roach, Davis paid homage to the punching power of former rival Rolando ‘Rolly’ Romero, as he claims the 29-year-old has ‘bricks in his hands’.

“I ain’t gonna lie, Rolly hit hard, people are sleeping on Rolly. He hasn’t got a chin so Rolly gets caught but he can hit. He’s the only person I have felt, when he swung it felt like there were bricks in his hands.”

Davis handed ‘Rolly’ the first defeat of his career when they clashed back in May of 2022, stopping his rival in the sixth round of their bout at the Barclays Center in New York City.

Since facing Davis, Romero has made the move up to welterweight where he picked up the best win of his career earlier this year, defeating Ryan Garcia to capture the regular version of the WBA world welterweight title on May 2.

Jake Paul scores first blood in Gervonta Davis rivalry

Topps has unveiled its first boxing trading card set since 1951. However, the debut has already ignited fierce debate among fans after the company included Jake Paul and suddenly removed Gervonta Davis.

Paul has made a habit out of facing past-their-best combat stars from boxing and UFC, pushing to a 12-1 ledger and losing to the only real prime boxer he ever faced, Tommy Fury.

Jake Paul Gervonta Davis Topps

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Davis, meanwhile, has out-of-the-ring problems, ring inactivity, and a recent jail term behind him, which Topps obviously wouldn’t elaborate on in its announcement.

Topps Boxing Card Controversy
The company confirmed, “Our first boxing trading card set since 1951 is here.

“Topps Chrome Boxing features legends, rookies, and stars, and is the first boxing release in history to be officially licensed by multiple boxing promotions.”

The set is available for pre-order on August 11.

They added, “UPDATE: Gervonta Davis will not be included in this collection.”

The official checklist now confirms the appearance of Floyd Mayweather, Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, and Jake Paul among the headline names. Top Rank has also revealed their fighters will feature, with Al Haymon’s Premier Boxing Champions yet to confirm.

No Reason Given
The image of Davis’s gold-framed “1/1” autographed card, part of early promotional material, confirms Topps initially slated the Baltimore fighter to appear before being dropped.

WBN has reached out to Topps and PBC to see if the decision to remove Davis has any bearing on the likes of Manny Pacquiao and David Benavidez featuring in the collection.

While Topps did not cite a reason for the change, the decision comes as Davis faces an August 12 court date following a string of legal issues and arrests.

Fan Reaction
Fan reaction to the Paul vs Davis (who once called each other out) situation, in which the YouTuber scored first blood, was swift and heated on social media.

“Why did you put Jake Paul in it? Be for real. Not a serious group,” said one regarding the influencer boxer’s ‘Hidden Gems’ card.

Another added, “This was great until I saw the Jake Paul card. He’s not a real boxer; he doesn’t even fight boxers.”

“So you drop Tank but keep Jake? Wild,” stated a third.

With Davis gone and Paul in, the launch of Topps Chrome Boxing is already shaping up to be one of the most controversial trading card releases in recent sports history.