Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis: Exhibition Bout Rules Revealed Amid Size Controversy

Reality set in for boxing fans last night as the stark size difference between Jake Paul and Gervonta “Tank” Davis became visibly apparent at the press conference for their upcoming exhibition bout. Alongside the face-off, officials also confirmed the rules for what has already become one of the most talked-about—and controversial—events of the year.

Despite holding an unblemished record of 30-0-1 (28 KOs) and reigning as the WBA lightweight world champion, Davis has opted to bypass a potential rematch with Lamont Roach Jr. in favor of a high-profile exhibition against YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, who boasts a record of 12-1 (7 KOs) and typically fights seven weight divisions above Davis.

While the financial incentives are obvious, the matchup has drawn criticism due to the glaring size disparity and the nature of the contest.

Official Fight Rules Confirmed

During the press conference, Nakisa Bidarian, CEO of Most Valuable Promotions, laid out the official terms of the bout. Surprisingly, one of those details seemed to catch Davis off guard in real time.

Bidarian: “There will be a victor because the fighters have agreed—and the commission has approved—a maximum weight of 195 lbs for this exhibition.”

Davis (confused): “Y’all said it was 190 lbs.”

Bidarian: “The fight is 195 lbs, Tank. It’s scheduled for 10 three-minute rounds, and both fighters will wear 12-ounce gloves. The bout will be scored by three commission-approved judges, with a winner declared if it goes the distance. Both men are also enrolled in USADA testing.”

The announcement confirms that, despite its “exhibition” label, the bout will have official scoring and a declared winner, though the outcome will not affect either fighter’s professional record.

Backlash from Fans and the Boxing Community

The confirmed rules have only intensified the backlash from boxing purists, who argue the matchup is a spectacle rather than sport. One fan compared the contest to Floyd Mayweather’s 2008 WWE-style exhibition against Big Show, calling it: “So embarrassing for the sport. If Jake Paul doesn’t win convincingly, he may as well never lace a glove again. It’s the biggest mismatch since Big Show vs. Mayweather.”

The face-off at the press conference only highlighted the mismatch further, with Paul towering over the visibly smaller Davis, who competes naturally at 135 lbs, more than 60 pounds below Paul’s typical fighting weight.

Event Details

• Date: Friday, November 14

• Venue: Kaseya Center, Miami

• Broadcast: Live on Netflix

Note: The fight is sanctioned but non-official, meaning it won’t count on either fighter’s pro record.

Though reputations are at stake, many in the boxing world are already questioning whether this bout adds value to the sport—or simply fuels the growing trend of entertainment-driven matchups.