The fight between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis, set for Nov. 14 in Miami, will be an exhibition, according to Timothy Shipman, executive director of the Florida Athletic Commission.

“You can’t do a fight like that as a pro fight,’’ Shipman told USA TODAY Sports. “It’ll be an exhibition fight.’’

The key issue is the weight discrepancy between the two fighters, with Davis having weighed in at 133 ¾ pounds for his last fight and Paul having weighed in at 199 ½ pounds for his last fight – a 66-pound weight difference.

The fight originally was scheduled to be held at State Farm Arena in Atlanta but was moved in the face of strong opposition from one of Georgia’s top boxing officials.

The Florida Athletic Commission regulates boxing in Florida, and Shipman said he’s still reviewing the weight of the glove that will be used and the number of rounds that will be in effect. He indicated they will make adjustments because it will be an exhibition fight.

“I’m looking at the details right now,’’ Shipman said. “I mean, it’s happening pretty fast. But I am sure there will be other stipulations because you can’t do it with the same requirements’’ of the weight classes as a pro fighter. Generally speaking, Davis has fought as a lightweight and Paul has fought as a cruiserweight.

Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis fight status: What we know

Most Valuable Promotions (MVP), co-founded by Paul and business partner Nakisa Bidarian, is promoting the fight to be carried by Netflix. On Aug. 20, the day MVP announced the fight, Bidarian indicated to ESPN he wanted the fight to be sanctioned as a pro bout.

‘We’re still figuring that out,’’ Bidarian said. “Jake will definitely have to come down below his 200-pound weight that he’s been fighting at. I can tell you that we’re going to have a fight that will have a definitive outcome, whether by way of knockout or decision.’

According to Florida statutes, an exhibition ‘means a boxing, kickboxing, or mixed martial arts engagement in which persons participating show or display their skill without necessarily striving to win using strikes and blows to the head or other full-contact maneuvers.”

Shipman said he is unsure when MVP realized the bout between Paul and Davis would not be a pro fight if held in Florida.

“I don’t know when they understood it, but it’ll be an exhibition fight,’’ Shipman said.

MVP did not immediately respond requests for comment that USA TODAY Sports left by email, phone and text message.

MVP offered concessions in Georgia

In Georgia, MVP was prepared for the fight to be an exhibition in seeking to have restrictions over the weight discrepancy lifted, according to a petition for rule variance or waiver prepared by MVP. Georgia rules allow no more than a nine-pound weight difference between boxers, with the exception of the heavyweight division, which has no such restrictions.

In addressing how it would afford “adequate protection for the public health, safety, and welfare,’’ if the restrictions on weight difference were not in effect, MVP stated the fighters would use 12-ounce gloves and undergo anti-doping testing, according to the rule waiver.

Based on weight class, Davis normally would be entitled to wear 10-ounce gloves and Paul would be entitled to wear 10-ounce gloves, according to the rule waiver.

“The larger gloves for Paul and Davis will provide added protection to the fighters and help reduce the risk of injury during the exhibition bout,’’ the rule waiver states. Of drug testing under the auspices of the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), the rule waiver states it, “adds an additional layer of protection and fairness with respect to the bout to ensure no fighter is seeking to take any unfair advantages.’’

The Georgia Athletic Entertainment (GAEC), which regulates boxing in Georgia, was expected to rule on request Thursday, Sept. 18. But MVP withdrew it along with other request in the face of opposition from the GAEC chairman and opted to hold the fight in Florida.

The appeal of a pro fight

There are clear advantages to a pro fight.

A contest between boxers fighting all out is easier to market. Also, the ability to wager on a sporting event is widely believed to increase viewership and interest. But online betting companies like DraftKings are reluctant to post odds and take wagers on an exhibition fight, said Johnny Avello, the top oddsmaker at DraftKings.

MVP faced a similar situation about whether the bout between Paul and Mike Tyson Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas would be an exhibition or pro fight. MVP pushed for a pro fight and Texas officials granted the request despite concerns of the age difference between the fighters.

When they fought, Paul was 27 and Tyson was 58.

Despite the age difference, both boxers were heavyweights, with Paul weighing in at 227 ½ pounds and Tyson weighing in at 228 ½ pounds.

In Paul’s fight with Davis, the weight differential is the problem, according to Andy Foster, executive director of the California State Athletic Commission.

“It can’t be real,’’ Foster told USA TODAY Sports of the fight, but he said an exhibition fight would be OK.

Differences between exhibition and pro fight

Unlike a sanctioned pro fight, an exhibition is not scored by official judges and does not count against a boxer’s record. In some states, such as Texas, an exhibition requires the boxers to use heavier gloves and limits the bout to fewer rounds than allowed in a sanctioned pro fight.

In 2020, when Mike Tyson fought Roy Jones Jr. in an exhibition in Los Angeles, the fight was scored by celebrity judges. Also, the fighters used 12-ounce gloves, thought to be safer than the 10-ounce gloves typically used in a pro fight between heavyweights.

History of boxing exhibitions

An exhibition between Paul and Davis might seem conventional compared to ones from the past.

In 1976, for example, Muhammad Ali squared off against Antonio Inoki, a Japanese professional wrestler. Three years later, Ali fight Lyle Alzado, then an NFL defensive end.

Shaquille O’Neal fought boxing stars Oscar De La Hoya in 2009 and Shane Mosley in 2010.

And in 2021, Logan Paul, older brother of Jake Paul, fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an exhibition – at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, no less.

Get ready for an epic showdown as two boxing legends, Mike Tyson and Floyd Mayweather Jr., gear up to step into the ring for an exhibition match in Spring 2026.

Floyd Mayweather last fought professionally in 2017 at the age of 40, defeating MMA star Conor McGregor by technical knockout. Since then, he has participated in several exhibition fights. His most recent exhibition match was against John Gotti III in August 2024, which became tense and went the distance for eight rounds. Mayweather maintains an undefeated professional boxing record of 50 wins and is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers in history. Throughout his career, he has won titles in five different weight divisions and has defeated notable opponents, including Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, and Canelo Alvarez.

The former heavyweight champion, Mike Tyson, retired in 2005 with a record of 50 wins and seven losses, including 44 knockouts. Since then, Tyson has participated in exhibition matches. Most recently, he faced former YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul in November 2024 at AT&T Stadium. Tyson ultimately lost the fight by unanimous decision to Paul.

The Tyson-Mayweather boxing event will be put on by CSI Sports/Fight Sports, but the details of the event have not been released.

When is the Floyd Mayweather vs. Mike Tyson fight?

The Tyson-Mayweather boxing event will be put on by CSI Sports/Fight Sports and will take place in Spring 2026. The details of the event have not been determined.

Floyd Mayweather vs. Mike Tyson location

The fight between Mayweather and Tyson will take place at a ‘location to be determined,’ according to CSI Sports.

How old is Floyd Mayweather?

Floyd Mayweather is 48 years old. He will turn 49 years old on Feb. 24, 2026.

How old is Mike Tyson?

Mike Tyson is 59 years old. He will be 60 years old on June 30, 2026.

Several top-ranked college football teams face off in key conference matchups this weekend.
No. 12 Oklahoma will begin its SEC schedule against No. 25 Auburn.
The Big Ten features a ranked contest between No. 9 Illinois and No. 17 Indiana.

Most of the highest ranked teams in the US LBM Coaches Poll either have this weekend off or will be tuning up against overmatched opponents. But, as college football fans well know, there is no such thing as an uneventful week in this sport. There are plenty of intriguing contests to keep our panel of pickers interested.

As usual, there’s plenty of activity around SEC country as No. 12 Oklahoma kicks off its league slate against No. 25 Auburn and No. 24 South Carolina looks for a bounce-back performance at No. 22 Missouri. There are important contests in the Big Ten as well, with No. 9 Illinois heading to No. 17 Indiana and No. 20 Michigan hitting the road to take on Nebraska. There’s one more ranked pairing, and it’s in the Big 12 where No. 18 Utah hosts No. 16 Texas Tech.

In other games of note, No. 11 Mississippi has a potentially tricky non-conference date with unbeaten Tulane and No. 6 Miami (Fla.) hosts a desperate Florida. Our experts weigh in on where the upsets might happen.

College football picks for Week 4 schedule

The Indiana Fever will face off against the Atlanta Dream in a Game 3 showdown in first round of the WNBA playoffs at Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia.

Following an 80-68 loss in Game 1, the Fever bounced back with a resounding 77-60 victory in Game 2, their first playoff game at home since 2016. Kelsey Mitchell scored 19 points, and Aliyah Boston had 15 points and five rebounds as the Fever extended the series to a winner-take-all third game.

Te-Hina Paopao, coming off the bench, led the Dream in scoring with 11 points, while Rhyne Howard added 10 points. Allisha Gray, who struggled with foul trouble and faced tensions with fans in the front row, contributed nine points and seven rebounds in the defeat.

What time is Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream?

The Atlanta Dream host the Indiana Fever in the decisive Game 3 on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 7:30 p.m. ET at Gateway Center in College Park, Georgia. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN2.

How to watch Indiana Fever at Atlanta Dream: TV, stream

Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Gateway Center Arena (College Park, Georgia)
TV channel: ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN+, Disney+, Fubo (free trial to new subscribers)

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Tom Brady’s appearance in the Las Vegas Raiders’ coaching booth on Monday night has prompted an outcry from some members of the media and fans, citing a potential conflict of interest with his broadcasting job.

Johnson said Wednesday he’s ‘not worried’ about any potential competitive advantage the Raiders might be getting from Brady, their minority owner who also serves as the lead Fox Sports NFL color commentator. The former quarterback’s job at Fox allows him to participate in production meetings with coaches and players ahead of the game he’s due to broadcast.

Brady is due to commentate the Bears’ Week 3 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys – one week before the Bears are set to play the Raiders. That brought extra intrigue in how Johnson perceived his looming production meeting with Brady.

‘I’m really not worried about it,’ Johnson said. ‘I mean, we change week to week in terms of what we do. Schematically, he’s going to be able to turn on the tape and see what everyone else in the world is seeing right now.

‘It’s not like I’m going to sit down with him and say, ‘Hey, don’t do this to (Bears quarterback) Caleb Williams or you might get it!’ Like, there’s not going to be any trade secrets that are going to be exchanged. But I really don’t think it’s that big of a deal.’

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer shared a similar lack of concern. His team will visit the Raiders in November for a Week 11 ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup.

‘I don’t have a problem with [what Brady is doing],’ he said. ‘Some people might, but look, I’ll talk football with anybody. I love the game, and what Tom does with his ownership position is up to Tom. But in terms of me being concerned about something I might say to Tom getting back to Pete or getting back to them, I think Pete and I know each other pretty well.’

Schottenheimer served as the Seattle Seahawks’ offensive coordinator under then-head coach Pete Carroll from 2018 to 2020.

The NFL, for their part, has also excused Brady’s behavior as being allowed under their current policies for the partial team owner and Fox broadcaster.

‘There are no policies that prohibit an owner from sitting in the coaches’ booth or wearing a headset during a game,’ NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in a statement Tuesday.

‘Tom continues to be prohibited from going to a team facility for practices or production meetings,’ the statement said. ‘He may attend production meetings remotely but may not attend in person at the team facility or hotel. He may also conduct an interview off site with a player like he did last year a couple of times, including the Super Bowl. Of course, as with any production meeting with broadcast teams, it’s up to the club, coach or players to determine what they say in those sessions.’

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone is a household name in track and field. Her accolades are worthy enough to be a household name across all sports.

McLaughlin-Levrone made a strong case to be considered the best female athlete in the country. The U.S. sprinter made history by winning gold in the women’s 400 with a championship record time of 47.78 at the 2025 World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo, Japan on Thursday, Sept. 18. It’s the second fastest time ever in the history of the event. She’s the first person to win world championship gold medals in the women’s 400 and women’s 400-meter hurdles.

Dominican Republic’s Marileidy Paulino crossed the finish line in a national record time of 47.98 to place second. Bahrain’s Salwa Eid Naser time of 48.19 was good enough for the bronze medal.

Thursday was the second time McLaughlin-Levrone made history at this year’s World Championships. During the semifinals, McLaughlin-Levrone ran a 48.29 to break Sanya Richards-Ross’ 19-year-old American record (48.70) in the 400, clocking in at 48.29. She topped her own American record Thursday with the second fastest time ever.

McLaughlin-Levrone is the world record holder, two-time Olympic gold medalist and 2022 world champion in the 400 hurdles. The U.S. sprinter can add world champion in the 400 to her résumé now that she accomplished history by owning world championship gold in both one-lap events.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

The following failed to make the cut for a list of the nation’s top college football quarterbacks through four weeks: Arch Manning, DJ Lagway, Nico Iamaleava, Drew Allar and Cade Klubnik.

For everything that has gone according to plan under center – such as Carson Beck and John Mateer hitting the ground running at Miami and Oklahoma, respectively – there are several high-profile quarterbacks who have fallen well short of expectations.

Manning is coming off a miserable game against Texas-El Paso. Lagway tossed five interceptions in a loss to LSU. Iamaleava’s stock is trading at an all-time low. Allar has been adequate against weak competition. Klubnik is the face of Clemson’s early disappearing act.

This has opened a door for more unproven passers to climb into the national conversation. That includes multiple starters in the Big Ten in Oregon’s Dante Moore, Nebraska’s Dylan Raiola, Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Southern California’s Jayden Maiava.

Some unexpected names make up USA TODAY Sports’ current ranking of Bowl Subdivision quarterbacks:

1. Carson Beck, Miami

Beck had a pair of turnovers against South Florida, though neither did any damage in the No. 6 Hurricanes’ 49-12 romp. Beck is averaging 9.9 yards per throw and completing 79.3% of his attempts after hitting on 23 of 28 attempts for 340 yards and three touchdowns in the win.

2. John Mateer, Oklahoma

That Mateer has thrown an interception in each of Oklahoma’s three games is slightly concerning given the slim room for error in SEC play. He’s still be enormously impactful in helping the No. 12 Sooners soar up the US LBM Coaches Poll. Another opportunity to impress comes Saturday against Auburn.

3. Dante Moore, Oregon

No. 5 Oregon’s offense seemed largely out of sorts in the Big Ten opener against Northwestern. While the 34-14 final was never in any real doubt, the Ducks averaged only 5.6 yards per play when removing Dierre Hill’s 66-yard touchdown run from the equation. Moore had 178 yards and a score with an interception.

4. Diego Pavia, Vanderbilt

With his usual moxie, Pavia sparked No. 23 Vanderbilt’s 31-7 win at No. 24 South Carolina. He threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns and ran for 24 yards as the Commodores went from unranked to the thick of the College Football Playoff race.

5. Dylan Raiola, Nebraska

Raiola looks increasingly comfortable in coordinator Dana Holgorsen’s scheme. After playing a smart and careful game in the opener against Cincinnati, the sophomore has been unleashed in routs of Akron and Houston Christian. In these two games, Raiola has combined for 586 passing yards on 11.2 yards per attempt with six touchdowns.

6. Julian Sayin, Ohio State

As with Raiola, you can sense how Sayin is beginning to really grasp the No. 1 Buckeyes’ scheme in his first month as the starter. While the offense struggled early, Sayin finished with 347 yards and Ohio State pulled away in the second half to beat Ohio 37-9.

7. Fernando Mendoza, Indiana

There’s an elite quarterback matchup brewing in this weekend’s key Big Ten matchup between Luke Altmyer and No. 8 Illinois and the No. 17 Hoosiers. Mendoza has feasted on weak competition, including an eye-popping line in last weekend’s 73-0 shutout of Indiana State. The former California transfer completed 19 of 20 passes, setting a new program recordfor single-game completion percentage, for 270 yards and five touchdowns.

8. Gunner Stockton, Georgia

No. 3 Georgia’s 44-41 win at No. 15 Tennessee proved that Stockton is more than capable of going throw for throw with the best quarterbacks in the SEC. After an uneventful start to the year, the junior completed 74.2% of his attempts for 304 yards with three touchdowns, one on the ground.

9. Jayden Maiava, Southern California

Tune-up games against Missouri State, Georgia Southern and Purdue to start the year have helped USC regain some confidence, though it’s hard to say how the offensive production will translate to future matchups against Illinois, Oregon and Notre Dame. Still, Maiava’s play has been difficult to ignore. He leads the nation in yards per attempt (14.1), efficiency rating (215.5) and completions of 60 or more yards (five).

10. Joey Aguilar, Tennessee

Aguilar torched the Bulldogs’ defense to the tune of 371 yards and four touchdowns but did toss a pair of interceptions. That give and take between high-end production and a penchant for turnovers is part of Aguilar’s story dating to his run as the starter at Appalachian State. Other options for the last spot were Altmyer, Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson, Texas Tech’s Behren Morton, TCU’s Josh Hoover and Marcel Reed of Texas A&M.