A former world champion has blasted the Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis exhibition match in a recent interview.
News broke last night of Paul fighting on Netflix in an exhibition contest against the WBA lightweight champion Davis, which drew criticism from some contenders as being ‘farcical’.
It was a surprise to many due to talk of the influencer being in talks for a ‘mismatch’ fight against Anthony Joshua, with Eddie Hearn giving an immediate reaction to the news overnight.
The Joshua fight was also slammed by critics due to the weight and experience disparity, but now this exhibition will be under more scrutiny due to the over 60 lb difference in weight between the competitors.
Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis have done ‘nothing’ for boxing, says a former world champion as he blasts the Netflix exhibition
Neither the participants nor Netflix have revealed any stipulations for the November 14th clash, but more reaction and criticism from boxing’s past have started to mount.
The former IBF super lightweight champion, Paulie Malignaggi, has taken shots at the participants, but especially ‘Tank’ Davis for the fight.
Malignaggi has been highly critical of the 30-year-old’s career in the sport so far, and this news has only strengthened his views.
Speaking in a discussion with Boxing Scene, the ex-champion explained: “Gervonta Davis I don’t think he’s wanted to fight Lamont Roach. This was the perfect escape for him. It’s really win-win.
“I can’t say it’s a win-win for sure for Gervonta as much as it is for Jake. (For) Jake, you’re fighting a former world lightweight champion. You’re bigger, so you have some advantages even if you’re at a severe skill disadvantage.
“You’re not supposed to expect to do anything, but if you do, it’s bananas for you. It’s great.”
It would only be the second time Paul has faced an active professional boxer who is 30 or under since he lost a split decision to Tommy Fury.
While it may seem an odd fight to make given the differences in weight, Malignaggi does not know if the champion knows what he is getting into with ‘The Problem Child’.
“Gervonta, I don’t know what if Jake hits him. Jake’s a big guy. I don’t know if Gervonta stood next to Jake. Jake’s a big guy. Gervonta is small even by lightweight standards. So, it is a little bit of a David and Goliath fight,” he said.
“It’s just that the David character in Gervonta is much more skilled. But I guess that’s the thought process as far as what it does for boxing.”
Paulie Malignaggi tears into Gervonta Davis’ résumé ahead of Jake Paul clash
His complaints did not end there, though, as he decided to run through the résumé of the 30-0-1 fighter and tear it to shreds.
Malignaggi continued his tirade and he said: “He fought a bantamweight Leo Santa Cruz is one of his best wins, who was old, and if you look at 80% of his resume was guys you never heard of.
“Jose Pedraza was clearly weight drained in the fighter meetings with Jose Pedraza when he was fighting at 130, he used to complain to us every time he made 130 how dead he was at the weight… So Pedraza shouldn’t have even been champion when Gervonta Davis took his title.”
The former professional also saved some venom for Ryan Garcia, who lost to ‘Tank’ in a catchweight bout by a seventh-round knockout.
“A lot of fluff again because he’s a YouTuber who’s never accomplished anything else besides being a YouTuber,” Malignaggi claimed.
“Though there is talent there. It’s unfulfilled and untapped talent, and the loss to Rolly Romero tells you that.”
As the contest is an exhibition, the result will not go on either man’s record, and the bout will be contested under tweaked rules.