Despite being in different weight classes, that hasn't stopped Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis from tossing verbal insults in interviews and on social media. That has continued as Davis is coming off a harder bout than many expected against late-replacement Isaac Cruz on Sunday, winning via unanimous decision to retain a secondary lightweight belt. Some observers felt Cruz did enough to win or net a draw.
Paul, who returns to the ring on Dec. 18 in a rematch against Tyron Woodley in a 192-pound catchweight fight, watched the fight and came away unimpressed.
“I thought (Davis) lost,” Paul told DAZN News on a media call“. He didn’t throw his… he hurt his (left) hand or whatever. He didn’t throw a single left and some of the judges gave those rounds to him. It doesn’t make any sense.
“He calls me a clown but he had a clown performance.”
Davis (26-0, 24 KOs) injured his left hand some time during the fight. He used it sporadically, but when it got to the 12th round, the use of the hand was non-existent. Before then, Cruz fought well early and came on in the latter stages to the point where there was a sentiment among some, including Paul, that he did enough to hand Davis the first defeat of his career. The reasoning Paul and others feel Davis got the nod on the judges' scorecards was because of his stature as one of boxing's marquee attractions and his being promoted by the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“I thought he lost," Paul said. "I think a lot of people will say that and I agree as well,” insists Paul. “I thought they were going to give him a draw because he’s signed with Mayweather Promotions, Al Haymon and we know how dirty boxing is, how judges are being paid off. Of course, those close swing rounds would get thrown to Gervonta Davis.”