Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis will square off in an exhibition fight in Miami. The Florida Athletic Commission made the call, shifting the bout from its original pro status due to the big weight difference between the two boxers.
Timothy Shipman, who runs the Florida Athletic Commission, explained why they couldn't let it go ahead as a pro fight.
"You can't do a fight like that as a pro fight,"
Jake Paul wants to show he can hang with real boxers. This match against Davis, known as "Tank," will test Paul's skills in the ring. Davis can go all out, which makes it a real challenge for Paul.
Paul has some clear advantages. He's taller, heavier, and bigger overall. But Davis isn't called "Tank" for nothing. He's one of the hardest hitters in boxing, pound for pound.
The change to an exhibition might affect more than just the fighters. Ben Axelrod from Awful Announcing says sportsbooks might not take bets on the fight. That could lead to money problems, especially since betting was big for Paul's fight with Mike Tyson.
Boxing fans aren't jumping out of their seats for this one. But let's be real – they'll probably watch anyway. And even if they can't bet legally, folks will likely find a way to put money down.
The fight moves from Atlanta to Miami, but the real shift is in what it means for boxing. An internet star taking on a serious boxer in an exhibition? It's a new world for the sport.
