The controversial Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis exhibition bout has been dealt a huge blow after their proposed November 14 fight at the State Farm Arena has seen MVP withdraw their requests for event permits in Georgia.
According to USA Today, Paul's promotional outfit, Most Valuable Promotions, withdrew requests for event permits and rule waivers - one of which being the excessive weight difference between the two combatants.
Jake Paul has fought up at heavyweight, weighing as high as 227lbs for his controversial fight with Mike Tyson in 2024, and Gervonta Davis has never exceeded 140lbs in his 31-bout professional career, placing them as much as seven weight divisions apart.
Chairman of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, Rick Thompson, said, "I believe it's in the public's interest to know that [info] because they've been promoting something they shouldn't have been."
Communications Director for the Office of Secretary of State, Robert A Sinners, stated that the event "will not be happening".
Despite the setback, Most Valuable Promotions will likely proceed to go ahead with the event while exploring other venues and locations to play host.
Matchroom Boxing's CEO, Frank Smith, predicted this would happen after talks between Jake Paul and Anthony Joshua broke down. The English promoter said, "They've announced it [the fight with Gervonta Davis], but the weight isn't agreed, none of the details have been agreed, so it's not really agreed. You can imagine there will be some stumbling blocks."
YouTuber-turned-boxer, Paul, has built a 12-1 professional boxing career by challenging non-boxers, who are mostly inactive or fighting above their natural weight division.
His last opponent, former world middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., fought him up at cruiserweight in June this year despite having just one bout in the last four years. 11 years his junior, Paul won on points after 10 rounds.
Prior to that, 'The Problem Child' fought 58-year-old Mike Tyson, who had been retired from pro boxing for almost 20 years. He last fought in 2004 after he was forced to retire after six rounds with Kevin McBride after pure exhaustion caused him to quit.
The only active pro boxer Paul has shared the ring with was Tommy Fury, who won their scrappy fight in 2023 via split decision over eight-rounds.
There has yet to be any statements released regarding Paul vs Davis, which is still set to happen on November 14, as it stands.