Davis vs. everyone

Undefeated WBA lightweight champion Gervonta Davis made it clear he isn’t backing down despite heavy criticism from boxing fans. During a press conference in New York to promote his upcoming fight against Jake Paul on November 14 at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Davis was blunt: “Why should I care what people think? Fans change all the time. Just sit back, be fans, and enjoy the sport.”

The Baltimore southpaw expressed frustration at the way the public reacts to his performances, especially after his controversial draw against Lamont Roach in March.

The shadow of Roach

That majority draw at the Barclays Center was one of the toughest moments in Davis’ (30-0-1, 28 KOs) career. He entered the ring as a 16-1 favorite, but Roach (25-1-2, 10 KOs) pushed him harder than anyone before. If referee Steve Willis had ruled a knockdown early in the ninth round, the outcome on the scorecards could have been very different.

Although Davis triggered his contractual right to an immediate rematch, the bout was postponed twice. In the end, the American chose a different path: a high-profile showdown with Jake Paul (12-1, 7 KOs), which will be streamed globally by Netflix.

“I’m judged differently”

The matchup has fueled debate, especially since Paul, a cruiserweight, has weighed in as much as 65 pounds heavier than Davis. The rules of their fight are still unclear, but the WBA champion isn’t bothered.

At 30 years old, Davis insists he’s held to a different standard: “When someone is in the spotlight too long, people want someone else to take their place. That’s what happened with Floyd [Mayweather]. Fans went from love to hate, and now the same is happening to me.”

With those words, “Tank” Davis made it clear that his fight with Jake Paul isn’t a detour, but another step in a career defined by defying both rivals and public opinion.