Coach Greg Hackett says he views the criticism Shakur Stevenson and Raymond Ford are receiving for helping Jake Paul prepare for his Nov. 14 exhibition game as short-sighted by critics. He points out that they have daughters, and it’s a business move by them to make money by helping Jake train in a “picking” 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 in doubt due to the new domestic violence allegations against him. Jake and Netflix are looking for 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 is removed from the event.
“You’ve got to do what you’ve got to do. Both of those guys have daughters,” coach Greg Hackett said. YSM Sports Mediatalks about Ray Ford and Shakur Stevenson helping Jake Paul with sparring to prepare for his exhibition match against an opponent yet to be determined on November 14th
Point of view: Loyalty doesn’t pay bills
It’s weird that people are critical of Shakur and Ford for helping Jake Paul prepare for Tank or anyone. To view this as a situation where they are breaking the code makes no sense at all. Boxing is a business, and these fighters are paid to help Jake. This is a great opportunity for them to make money and learn from a rich millionaire. It’s a win-win situation for Shakur and Ford.
There is no deep betrayal on their part because they don’t owe Tank Davis or whoever is brought in as the replacement opponent. When did Tank fight one of them? If he blessed Stevenson and Ford with a fight, one could possibly see it as treason. This is not the case here.
“The weird part about it is that Jake Paul is not a real fighter. He’s not even a 135 or 147. He’s a cruiserweight. You’re all trying to help him crush Tank (or whoever is brought in as a replacement),” Hackett said.
Avengers Assemble for Jake Paul
“You send the avengers in 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 garden anyway. They’re going to benefit, too. But it’s like Jake Paul is taking everything out.”
Cruiserweight Jake (12-1, 7 KOs) has not fought anyone on the level of Tank Davis during his five-year professional career. He did not have the benefit of an amateur career. So, he’s learning on the job and needs world-class professional fighters to help prepare him 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. It will be a massive payday.
Final take
Making smart business moves, Shakur and Ford team up with charismatic self-made millionaire Jake Paul. It’s the perfect situation for them, and it’s not a situation where they’re disloyal to Tank Davis or whoever is brought in as Jake’s opponent for the November 14th showdown. It’s work.
Last updated on 11/01/2025
