The rules for the exhibition fight between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis were supposed to address the most glaring aspect of the bout scheduled for Nov. 14 in Miami.
In their last fight, Davis weighed in at 133 ¾ pounds and Paul weighed in at 199 ½ pounds – a difference of more than 65 pounds. Press conferences held over the past two days to promote the fight accentuated the difference in size.
Paul, at 6-1, towered over Davis, 5-5 ½.
Davis fights as a lightweight. Paul typically fights as a cruiserweight. And Tim Shipman, executive director of the Florida Athletic Commission that regulates boxing in the state, said there would be stipulations as a result.
“You can’t do a fight like that as a pro fight,’’ Shipman told USA TODAY Sports Sept. 18.
But the fight rules, as announced Sept. 23 by Paul’s business partner Nakisa Bidarian, reveal few accommodations for the size difference between the fighters. (The Florida Athletic Commission has not responded to a request from USA TODAY Sports seeking confirmation of the fight rules.)
In short, the fight will be contested at a maximum of 195 pounds, knockouts will be allowed, official judges will score the fight and 12-ounce gloves will be used.
Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission, said the fight does not sound like an exhibition. ‘It’s not great,” he said, and of the weight discrepancy between the two boxers, he added, ‘It’s concerning.”
Mike Mazzulli, former president of the Association of Boxing Commissions, also addressed whether the fight seemed like an exhibition under the rules. ‘Well, not really he said.
Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis size: Weight
The fight will be contested at a maximum weight of 195 pounds. That means Paul will have to weigh in about five pounds lighter than he usually does for fights. The Florida Athletic Commission has not disclosed whether there will be a rehydration clause, which would prevent Paul from entering the ring far heavier than 195 pounds. It’s also unclear how much heavier Davis will be than his standard weight of about 135 pounds.
Rick Thompson, chairman of the Georgia Entertainment and Athletic Commission, adamantly opposed the fight before it was moved to Florida from Georgia. He cited the weight discrepancy as a concern.
‘If shows that are basically stunts want to shop around until they find a jurisdiction that allows them, that’s their prerogative,” Thompson told USA TODAY Sports. ‘We’re just not going to trade safety of (the) fighters for profit.”
Glove size for Paul vs Davis
The fighters will wear 12-ounce gloves. As a lightweight, Davis typically uses eight-ounce gloves. As a cruiserweight, Paul usually wears 10-ounce gloves. Davis is thought to have a disadvantage because he’ll be wearing gloves four ounces heavier than normal, while Paul will be wearing gloves only two ounces heavier than normal.
Davis’ trainer, Calvin Ford, appeared to suggest Davis should wear eight-ounce gloves and Paul should wear 10-ounce gloves, as they typically do. Conventional wisdom: The lighter the glove, the harder punch and the more damage inflicted.
But Paul said it was Davis’ camp that requested the 12-ounce gloves, and the matter sounded unresolved.
Ten rounds
There will be 10 rounds, three minutes apiece. Davis likely will benefit from this because he is the better-conditioned athlete.
The fight will be scored
Official judges will score the fight, which is unusual for an exhibition match. Joe DeGuardia, a promoter based in New York, said an exhibition officially scored is an ‘oxymoron.”
‘Why would it be scored?” DeGuardia said. ‘…I don’t understand the concept of having a winner for a fight that’s an exhibition.”
Knockouts will be allowed
Usually, exhibitions do not end in a knockout. But in 2021, when Evander Holyfield fought Vitor Belfort in Hollywood, Florida, at the age of 58, he was knocked out in the first round.
Records
As is customary for an exhibition, the outcome of the fight will not count against either fighter’s record.