The highly anticipated fight between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis, scheduled for November 14 in Atlanta, is at risk of not taking place after an announcement that has surprised the boxing world. The Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission (GAEC) has yet to officially approve the event, leaving one of the most high-profile fights of the year in limbo.
The clash between the influencer-turned-boxer and the WBA lightweight champion generated huge interest, not only because of their popularity, but also because of the huge weight difference between them. This physical discrepancy could now be the main reason why the commission refuses to sanction the fight, even if it is an exhibition.
Why was the fight between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis not approved in Georgia?
According to GAEC regulations, no fight can be sanctioned if the weight difference between the boxers exceeds nine pounds, a rule designed to protect the safety of the athletes. In this case, Jake Paul weighed in at over 199 pounds in his last fight, while Davis barely made it to 133.8, a difference of more than 60 pounds.
An official spokesperson for the state of Georgia confirmed to USA Today that the commission has not made a final decision and that the event could be evaluated at the next meeting on September 18. Until then, the future of the fight remains uncertain and both promoters and fans will have to wait.
A media fight, but with technical and regulatory obstacles
The fight was billed as a “special event”, which opened up the possibility of it being an exhibition and not a professional fight, but even under that mobility its approval has not been guaranteed. Concerns about the physical integrity of the boxers have dampened the initial enthusiasm of local authorities.
Both Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis are among the most recognizable figures in boxing today and their clash promised a huge audience. However, this regulatory setback could force the organizers to look for a new venue in another state that accepts the conditions of the fight.
For now it is not canceled, but its realization in Atlanta is in doubt and everything will depend on what happens on September 18 at the meeting of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission (GAEC) to know if it takes place in that state or is moved to one that accepts.
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