Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis to be an exhibition in Miami

After weeks of uncertainty, the planned Nov. 14 bout between social media star-turned-boxer Jake Paul and lightweight champion Gervonta Davis will proceed in Miami as an exhibition, Florida regulators and the event promoter said, following the withdrawal of permits that had been sought to stage the event in Atlanta. The fight, to be held at the Kaseya Center and broadcast globally on Netflix, has drawn intense scrutiny because of the large size and weight gap between the two fighters.

Rick Thompson, chairman of the Georgia State Athletic and Entertainment Commission, told media outlets that Most Valuable Promotions withdrew its request for event permits and rule waivers after the commission raised objections. Thompson said promoters had been marketing an event they should not have and called the proposed matchup inappropriate. Promoter Nakisa Bidarian and Paul subsequently teased a major update; Paul confirmed on social media that the show would move to Miami, where the Florida Athletic Commission will regulate the bout.

Timothy Shipman, executive director of the Florida Athletic Commission, said the fight cannot be sanctioned as a professional bout under current weight-class...