Eddie Hearn: “Maybe Gervonta Is Already Half Out of the Game”

Eddie Hearn, head of Matchroom Boxing, has reacted to the announcement of a fight between WBA Lightweight champion Gervonta Davis and heavyweight boxer-influencer Jake Paul.

“Yeah, interesting — a very quick jump from Heavyweight down to Lightweight. We knew Jake could fight this year. I think I was the first, about three or four months ago, to say that an agreement between Gervonta Davis and Jake Paul was in place. I didn’t expect it to be announced today, but here we are.

A lot of media have already asked me what I think about it. Well, it is what it is. You have to understand the business side of this fight. I hate these exhibition bouts. I hate the 14-ounce gloves. I don’t know what exactly it will be, but here’s the situation: Jake, who weighs 210–220 pounds (95–100 kg), going up against a guy at 135 pounds (61 kg). It’s a bit strange.

But on the other hand, I can’t be a hypocrite. If you’re Gervonta Davis and they’re offering you 20, 30, 40 million — whatever the number is — and for a fight with Lamont Roach you’re making only 7–8 in a 50/50 matchup, what would you choose? Maybe he’s already half out of the game. So if everyone understands this isn’t classic boxing but an entertainment show, then I can understand it,” said Hearn.

The bout between Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs) and Gervonta Davis (30-0-1, 28 KOs) will take place on November 14 at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, USA, broadcast live on Netflix. The fight rules will be announced later. In their previous outings, Davis weighed 60.7 kg (134 lbs) and Jake 90.4 kg (199 lbs).

Photo: NEWS 10 ABC