Coach Greg Hackett says he considers the criticism Shakur Stevenson and Raymond Ford are receiving for helping Jake Paul prepare for the Nov. 14 exhibition game short-sighted. He points out that they have daughters and this is a business move by them to make money by helping Jake train at a “luxury” training facility in Puerto Rico.
Hackett sharply attacks critics
Gervonta Davis, Jake’s opponent in his November 14 exhibition match on Netflix, is currently in doubt amid modern domestic violence allegations. Jake and Netflix are looking for a replacement for the event. The event will take place at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Ryan Garcia is considered the favorite to replace Tank Davis if he is removed from the event.
“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. Both of these guys have daughters,” coach Greg Hackett said YSM sports mediatalking about Ray Ford and Shakur Stevenson helping Jake Paul spar to prepare him for an exhibition match against an as-yet-to-be-determined opponent on November 14
Analysts believe: loyalty doesn’t pay the bills
It’s weird that people criticize Shakur and Ford for helping Jake Paul prepare for Tank or anyone else. Seeing this as a situation where they’re breaking the code doesn’t make any sense. Boxing is a business and these fighters are paid to assist Jake. This is a great opportunity for them to earn money and learn from a opulent millionaire. This is a win-win situation for Shakur and Ford.
There is no deep betrayal there because they owe nothing to Tank Davis or anyone who will be brought in as a replacement opponent. When did Tank fight one of them? If he blessed Stevenson and Ford with a fight, it could be seen as potentially a betrayal. This is not the case here.
“The weird thing is Jake Paul isn’t a real fighter. He’s not even 135 or 147. He’s a cruiserweight. Y’all are trying to assist him crush Tank [or whoever is brought in as a replacement]Hackett said.
The Avengers are assembling for Jake Paul
– You send the avengers to assist [Jake]. It’s like getting all the bullies together to assist that one kid who has no business being in the yard anyway. They will benefit from it too. But it looks like Jake Paul is doing his best.”
Cruiserweight Jake (12-1, 7 KO) hasn’t fought anyone at Tank Davis’ level in his five-year professional career. He had no chance for an amateur career. So he’s learning on the job and needs world-class professional fighters to assist him prepare for this key event on November 14. If Jake (28) shines in this fight, he could potentially face former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in 2026. That would be a huge payday.
Bottom line
Shakur and Ford make astute business moves by teaming up with charismatic self-made millionaire Jake Paul. This is an ideal situation for them, and it’s not one in which they will be disloyal to Tank Davis or whoever will be introduced as Jake’s opponent at the show on November 14. It’s work.
Dave Allen has predicted how compatriot Conor Benn will fare if he faces Ryan Garcia later this year.
Both pairs are to break off contact with each other before the end of 2026, but the date and place of their fight for the world title have not been officially announced.
It is alleged that Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing never obtained consent from Golden Boy to proceed with the fight between Benn and Garcia, who is reportedly still under contract with Oscar De La Hoya’s promotional team.
At the same time, White stated at the Zuffa Boxing 07 post-fight press conference that announcements were imminent regarding the Garcia-Benn fight, which is scheduled to take place in Las Vegas.
This would mean “King Ry” will make his first defense of the WBC welterweight title he won by unanimous decision over Mario Barrios in February.
Meanwhile, Benn is the mandatory challenger for the WBC 147-pound title, even though he hasn’t made that weight since stopping Chris van Heerden in the second round in 2022.
“At first glance, I can’t imagine Conor being good enough to beat Garcia. Conor is a good fighter, don’t get me wrong.
“I think he’s good, he’s really athletic, but [I] just place Garcia in the top bracket. In my opinion, it will be possible to stop Garcia. I think it’s probably a level or two above where we saw Conor. But it’s an captivating fight.”
Indeed, Benn has yet to establish himself as a world-class operator, even after back-to-back points victories over faded versions of Chris Eubank Jr and Regis Prograis.
“This man said he wanted the number 144,” Bill told Fight Hub TV. “He said, ‘We’ve got to sit down like businessmen and make this happen,’ right? Well, we’ve already sat down like businessmen. We’re ready to make it happen.”
Elder Haney also rejected suggestions that the catchweight proposal would represent a sudden change of plans.
“It’s not so sudden. 144 is a welterweight. Are you crazy or what?” Haney said. “At welterweight, we range from 140 to 147.”
As the conversation turned to Keyshawn Davis and his position as a top contender for the WBO title, Haney repeatedly pointed to what he believed to be a better opportunity.
“What is the most significant boxing fight going on right now?” Haney asked. “Shakur Stevenson and Devin Haney.”
Haney acknowledged that Davis remains part of the bigger picture, but pointed out that Stevenson’s matchup has been years in the making.
“This case has been brewing for seven, eight, nine, 10 years, whatever it was,” Haney said. “Just rest and we’ll get it done. He’s on the list. He was on the list before he was on the list, and he’ll stay on the list.”
Time will tell if the fight comes to fruition, but Bill Haney’s comments were perhaps the strongest indication yet that Team Haney is sedate about racing Stevenson at the proposed catchweight of 144 pounds.
The situation could become more complicated if the WBO formally orders Haney to fulfill his mandatory obligation to Davis. Until then, it appears the Haneys are turning their attention to what they believe is the biggest fight available.
Dan Ambrose is a boxing journalist at Boxing News 24, respected for his direct analysis and extensive coverage of the global fight landscape. His reports focus on the most significant fights, division development and the most discussed stories in sports.
Oscar De La Hoya believes Gervonta Davis’ professional record should see a loss ahead of his potential comeback fight.
It is said that the 31-year-old is in negotiations for a fight for the WBA lightweight title with Floyd Schofield Jr, offering “Tank” the opportunity to regain his elderly belt.
Davis defended his world title after: controversial draw with Lamont Roach in March 2025, but has since become the sanctioning body’s “halt champion” at 135 pounds.
This is partly due to his passivity, but also to the American’s problems outside the ring, where he faced accusations of domestic violence.
However, it currently appears that Davis could return to action soon, with a potential fight with Schofield set for September or October.
These negotiations involve Schofield’s promoter, Golden Boy boss De La Hoya, who insists that “Tank” should suffer his first professional defeat in the match against Roach.
Their match ended in a draw after referee Steve Willis ruled against a knockdown in round nine when Davis clearly touched the canvas following a shot by Roach.
As a result, De La Hoya said Fighting Hub TV that Roach should have back-to-back victories over “Tank” and Isaac “Pitbull” Cruz, whom he boxed in December to a less controversial draw.
“Roach is a great fighter in his own right. He has some really good wins under his belt. I say he wins because I think he really won against ‘Tank’ Davis and I think he did a great job against ‘Pitbull.’
If Davis and Schofield’s respective teams are unable to reach an agreement by June 22, their mandate quarterback will be sent to a bidding hearing.
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