Tank’s WBA Crown In Jeopardy: The Fallout From The Jake Paul Fight

The WBA will be evaluating the status of their 135-lb belt after today’s announcement that champion Gervonta Davis will be fighting Jake Paul next on November 14th in Atlanta, Georgia.

Tank’s Title Status in Question

Tank (30-0-1, 28 KOs) had been ordered by the WBA to face Lamont Roach Jr. (25-1-2, 10 KOs) to clear up the controversy over their 12-round draw on March 1st. According to Salvador Rodriguez of ESPN, the WBA will analyze the situation with Tank. It’s unclear if they’ll strip Tank or create an interim belt that Roach can fight over.

The $40 Million Belt Decision

With the money Gervonta will get from fighting Jake Paul, losing the WBA won’t mean anything. Davis’ estimated purse for the Paul fight is $40 million. It’ll be easy for Davis to reclaim his WBA 135-lb title if he’s stripped. He’s still one of the best fighters in the lightweight division, and could go after that title or the other ones held by Raymond Muratalla or Shakur Stevenson.

Tank was fortunate not to lose his WBA title to Roach last March. He was outboxed and surprisingly out-punched during stretches in the fight. In the ninth, Tank went down in a delayed reaction from a jab by Roach. He then got up and walked to his corner to have his eyes cleared from what he claims was grease.

It appeared to fans that he was quitting, but the referee, Steve Willis, chose not to stop the contest or count the knockdown. After that dismal performance, it’s surprising that Tank agreed to fight Roach again.

Stripping Gervonta Davis’s Title?

“WBA will analyze Gervonta Davis’s status as Lightweight champion after announcing an exhibition with Jake Paul. A rematch against Lamont Roach had been ordered following a controversial draw. Should they strip him of the belt? Could they make room for an interim title?” said Salvador Rodriguez on ESPN Knockout.