The hype around Jake Paul’s exhibition fight against Gervonta Davis just got louder, but not because of ticket sales or training highlights. Instead, it was sparked by a war of words between Paul and fellow lightweight star Ryan Garcia.

Garcia fires first shots

On September 23, Garcia took to X (formerly Twitter) to criticize Paul’s handling of the glaring weight difference between him and Davis. Paul, who has fought close to 200 pounds, will be stepping into the ring against Davis, who competes under 135 pounds.

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“It’s really sad to see how dishonest he is,” Garcia posted. “You are 200 pounds plus, you’ll make the 195 pound limit then shoot to 215 most likely. And you lie to yourself to hype yourself up, you are fighting a 135 pound fighter, but you don’t see how that is a bit misleading. Lying to yourself sucks.”

This wasn’t Garcia’s first swipe. When the Paul-Davis fight was announced last month, he mocked the matchup online: “Boxing is officially the WWE.”

He went further, adding: “This just proves that the new blueprint is get popular, be a decent fighter, pick fights to win that give you advantage and continue to rack in money. Integrity of the sport is getting ruined everyday.”

Jake Paul fires back

Paul, never one to back down from criticism, finally responded during an interview in New York on September 22.

“I think he’s just mad that I’m going to get an opportunity to beat Tank,” Paul said. “And he obviously got knocked out and embarrassed (in Garcia’s loss to Davis in 2023), so his insecurities are coming out.”

Paul’s words referenced Garcia’s highly publicized knockout loss to Davis, a fight that drew millions of views and left Garcia answering tough questions about his performance.

A brewing feud outside the ring

While Paul vs. Davis is billed as an exhibition spectacle, the verbal jabs between Paul and Garcia are starting to feel like a fight of their own. With Garcia branding Paul as “dishonest” and Paul accusing Garcia of jealousy, the feud reflects deeper tensions about boxing’s shifting culture.

Paul, a YouTube-star-turned-boxer, has often been accused of blurring the lines between sport and entertainment. Garcia’s critique that “integrity is getting ruined everyday” echoes concerns shared by purists who see Paul’s career as opportunistic rather than competitive.

Still, Paul’s popularity and ability to draw massive audiences are undeniable, and that’s precisely why Davis agreed to this unusual matchup. For Garcia, who already fell short against Davis, the spectacle only adds salt to the wound.

What’s next?

The Paul-Davis fight is already a lightning rod for controversy, and Garcia’s fiery comments have only amplified attention. Whether fans see it as a sham or as entertainment, one thing is certain: the noise surrounding this fight is only getting louder.

If Paul defeats Davis, critics will cry foul over the weight gap. If Davis wins, Paul’s credibility as a fighter could take another hit. And in the middle of it all, Garcia seems eager to remind fans that he believes boxing’s soul is at stake.

The Irish boxing icon cemented her dominance in one of women’s boxing’s greatest rivalries, defeating Amanda Serrano for a third time in what may be the final act of their gripping trilogy. With a majority decision win at Madison Square Garden on Friday night, Taylor retained her status as undisputed light-welterweight champion and further etched her name into boxing history.

“It is such a historic fight,” Taylor said post-match. “We have made history three times… we are history makers forever.”

A Tactical Finale to a Fierce Rivalry

Unlike the explosive chaos of their first bout or the controversial scoring debates of their second, this third showdown played out like a tactical masterpiece. The judges’ scorecards reflected Taylor’s control and composure: two reading 97-93 in her favor, and one at 95-95, a rare majority decision that few could argue with.

It was a different kind of intensity—one built not on haymakers and heated exchanges, but on footwork, strategy, and ring IQ. At 39 years old, Taylor showed why she’s still the queen of the ring, with vintage movement and defensive finesse neutralizing Serrano’s late-round surges.

Madison Square Garden Makes Herstory

This wasn’t just another title defense. The event marked the first all-female card ever hosted at Madison Square Garden—arguably the most iconic stage in combat sports. And for Taylor and Serrano to headline it again? Fitting.

The sold-out crowd erupted at the final bell, fully aware they had just witnessed the culmination of a rivalry that’s redefined women’s boxing on the global stage.

Serrano’s Brave Shift in Tactics

Though Serrano, 36, showed flashes of brilliance—particularly in rounds six and eight—her revised strategy may have worked against her. “I tried something different,” she admitted after the bout. “It was all about working smarter, not harder. We tried to keep the distance… but it just wasn’t enough.”

Known for her aggressive, come-forward style, Serrano opted for range and rhythm this time around. It worked in moments—but Taylor’s timing and calm under pressure proved too much.

There was no protest from Serrano at the decision, only mutual respect. “What a warrior,” Taylor called her. The embrace they shared at the final bell said it all—this was more than a rivalry. It was legacy-defining.

What’s Next for Katie Taylor?

Taylor’s win leaves fans wondering: Is retirement on the horizon, or will she seek one final challenge?

The 39-year-old remains one of boxing’s most marketable and technically gifted champions. With her trilogy against Serrano closed, speculation will swirl around potential mega-fights—perhaps against younger stars like Chantelle Cameron or Jessica McCaskill.

For now, though, Taylor is basking in the glow of a night that proved once again why she’s regarded as one of the greatest athletes Ireland has ever produced.

Final Verdict

In a trilogy that spanned years and sparked a renaissance in women’s boxing, Katie Taylor’s latest triumph wasn’t about brute force—it was about legacy, elegance, and emotional resonance.

She fought smart. She fought brave. And she fought with history on her gloves.