Trainer Greg Hackett says he views the criticism that Shakur Stevenson and Raymond Ford are receiving for helping Jake Paul prepare for his November 14th exhibition match as being short-sighted by critics. He points out that they have daughters, and this is a business move by them to make money helping Jake train in a “plush” training facility in Puerto Rico.
Hackett Fires Back at Critics
Jake’s opponent for his November 14th exhibition match on Netflix, Gervonta Davis, is now questionable due to the new domestic violence allegations against him. Jake and Netflix are seeking a replacement for the event. The event is at the Kaseya Center in Miami, Florida. Ryan Garcia is considered the frontrunner to replace Tank Davis if he’s removed from the event.
“You got to do what you got to do. Both of those guys have got daughters,” said coach Greg Hackett to YSM Sports Media, talking about Ray Ford and Shakur Stevenson helping out Jake Paul with sparring to prepare him for his exhibition match against a still-to-be-determined opponent on November 14th
Analysts Take: Loyalty Doesn’t Pay Bills
It’s weird that people are critical of Shakur and Ford for helping out Jake Paul prepare for Tank or anyone. Viewing it as a situation where they’re breaking the code makes no sense at all. Boxing is a business, and these fighters are being paid to help out Jake. It’s a great opportunity for them to make money and learn from a wealthy millionaire. It’s a win-win situation for Shakur and Ford.
There’s no deep betrayal on their part, as they don’t owe Tank Davis or whoever is brought in as the replacement opponent anything. When has Tank fought either of them? If he’d blessed Stevenson and Ford with a fight, one could see it potentially as treachery. That’s not the case here.
“The weird part about it is Jake Paul isn’t a real fighter. He’s not even a 135 or 147. He’s a cruiserweight. Y’all trying to help him crush Tank [or whoever is brought in as a replacement],” said Hackett.
Avengers Assemble for Jake Paul
“You sending in the avengers to help [Jake]. It’s like you’re getting all the bullies together to help this one kid, who has no business being in the yard anyway. They’re going to gain from it, too. But it’s like, Jake Paul is pulling out all the stops.”
Cruiserweight Jake (12-1, 7 KOs) has fought no one at the level of Tank Davis during his five-year professional career. He didn’t have the benefit of an amateur career. So, he’s learning on the job and needs world-level pro fighters to help him prepare for this critical November 14th exhibition. If Jake, 28, shines in this, he could potentially face former two-time heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua in 2026. That would be a massive payday.
Bottom Line
Shakur and Ford are making smart business moves, working with the charismatic self-made millionaire Jake Paul. It’s the perfect situation for them, and it’s not a situation where they’re being disloyal to Tank Davis or whoever is brought in as Jake’s opponent for the November 14th exhibition. It’s work.
