Podcast Summary: The Herd with Colin Cowherd

Episode: THE W.A.D.E. Concept - WEEK IN REVIEW - Gervonta Davis Vs Jake Paul MADNESS
Date: September 30, 2025
Hosted by: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Featured Voices: Wade (W.A.D.E. Concept), Jake Paul, Gervonta "Tank" Davis, Nikisa Badarian, Aiden Ross, Media, Trainers

Episode Overview

This episode dives deep into the surprising circus of the Jake Paul vs. Gervonta “Tank” Davis fight build-up—specifically, a critical review of their New York and Miami press conferences and the polarizing discussion around these exhibition mega-events. Wade unpacks the drama, dubious motivations, and lackluster showmanship behind a fight that’s shocking both sports media and boxing purists for its sheer strangeness, spectacle, and the “why are we doing this?” factor.

He also covers the heated social media skirmish between Tank Davis and Shakur Stevenson, reflecting frustrations about the state of boxing and legacy versus money.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Press Conference #1: New York

[05:16–35:00]

Setting the Stage

• Location Switch Controversy:
  The fight, initially set for Atlanta, is moved to Miami after Georgia’s commission calls it a "money grab."

  • “This is the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard. It’s a money grabber and I’m not okay with that.” – Georgia commission head Rick Thompson [02:04]

• Press Conference Mood:
  Wade notes the proceedings as awkward and lifeless, failing to generate needed hype.

  • "This press conference made you ask why we’re even doing this fight." – Wade [04:53]

Fit Checks & Showmanship

• Jake’s fur coat ("Siberian swag"), "man purse" (“merse”), and Tank’s small stature vs. big chair get some jabs for fashion and symbolism. [05:33, 06:16]

Embarrassing Details & Lack of Energy

• Tank Unengaged: Tank can’t recall the fight date or key details multiple times.
  • "Tank didn’t even know the day they were supposed to fight. It's plastered all over the wall behind him." – Wade [08:23]
• Jake Trying to Troll: Jake attempts to play the villain, but the energy falls flat.

Weight Class & Rules Confusion

• Brief, confusing exchange about fight’s contracted weight (195 lbs, though Tank claims he was told 190).

The Money Question—Explicit & Implicit

• Tank’s reasons for taking the fight: vague, but the impetus is clearly the payday rather than legacy.

  • "There’s only one answer to this question and it’s probably what is in the man purse... It’s money." – Wade [14:39]

• Both fighters dodge legacy talk; Wade maintains the fight means little for either’s professional record.

  • "Does it mean anything for Jake’s legacy, for Tank’s legacy? Honestly, unless either of them get knocked out cold, no." – Wade [16:12]

Notable Exchange:

• Jake pokes fun at Tank's "can't read" jab, both calling each other a clown and referencing past controversies (domestic violence allegations, mohawk insults, etc) [20:05–24:03].
• Animated but uncomfortable for fans, especially as Tank’s answers to legacy, motivation, and pressure questions are consistently nonchalant or dismissive.

Outstanding Quotes:

• Jake Paul: “Anybody that ever rocked a mohawk is a fucking clown. We all know this.” [23:21]
• Tank Davis: “Why should I care what they think?… Y’all need to sit back and be fans and just enjoy the sport.” [26:33]

Press Conference #2: Miami

[38:38–66:29]

Style Continues, Energy Slightly Up

• Jake wears rhinestone/paisley shirt (“rhinestone cowboy”), Tank looks like a "third grader with a beard"—Wade continues with humorous fashion assessments [38:47, 39:29].

Motivation and Stakes Reiterated

• Jake: "Once I beat this guy—that’s just another check of a box." [39:56]

• Tank: Remains mostly dismissive, “I just wanna put on a great show… so everyone can be happy.” [43:33]

• The vibe remains more "performance" than real rivalry; both are here for the event, not competition. Wade is unimpressed with the lack of fire.

Notable Exchange:

• Jake: “You just play around like, you know, this regular.”
  Tank: “That’s what people want, brother. It’s entertainment.”
  [46:09]

Audio & Technical Issues

• Wade criticizes rushed scheduling and poor logistics, particularly as audio fails during crucial parts.

The Side Bet Show

• Aiden Ross stirs the pot: initiating multi-million dollar "side bet" between Jake, Tank, and others.
• They escalate to a $2 million wager, which, as Wade notes, is “almost certainly bullshit” and will never actually be paid.
• Public flexing of wealth becomes a running joke. [55:15–56:16]

Gloves Drama

• Back-and-forth on preferred glove size – 12 oz., 10 oz., even as low as 8 oz. They settle live, confirming 10 oz. gloves, though Wade argues it may favor Jake’s power over Tank’s usual 8 oz. competition gloves [66:01].

Face-off & Physicality

• Small shoves exchanged, much more visible size difference, but little to show grudge or tension.

Quotes & Moments:

• Jake Paul: “I’m paying him. I’m his boss. He reports to me, and I’m gonna—so you, little man.” [47:40]
• Tank Davis: “I’m your daddy.” [47:46]
• Tank: “You need it for a new set of eyes, bro.” (To Jayleon Lover, after side bet joke) [62:01]
• Wade: “The best case scenario for Jake is exactly that—sleeping Tank… he would become the biggest villain in boxing.” [51:00]

Social Media Beef – Tank Davis vs. Shakur Stevenson

[76:40–82:52]

Overview

• Tank, embroiled in exchanges with Shakur Stevenson on X/Twitter, declares “Boxing is dead,” prompting heated takes from Wade.
• The back-and-forth gets personal, exposing Tank’s real motivation (money) and lack of intent to face boxing’s best (incl. Shakur, Teofimo Lopez).
• Tank deactivates Twitter after getting deeply riled.

Key Insights:

• Tank’s decision to do the Paul fight and possibly retire is widely interpreted as ducking top challenge, moving away from legacy.

• Shakur calls out Tank: “That’s how I know you soft. … You’d rather pop to me on social media than get in that fire and get embarrassed.” [81:28]

• Wade’s verdict: "You can't want a fighter to fight more than what they want to."

Memorable Quotes & Standout Exchanges

| Quote | Speaker | Timestamp | |-------|---------|-----------| | "This is the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard. It’s a money grabber and I’m not okay with that." | Rick Thompson (GA commission) | 02:04 | | "This press conference made you ask why we’re even doing this fight." | Wade | 04:53 | | “Anybody that ever rocked a mohawk is a fucking clown. We all know this.” | Jake Paul | 23:21 | | "Why should I care what they think?… Y’all need to sit back and be fans and just enjoy the sport." | Tank Davis | 26:33 | | "I’m paying him. I’m his boss. He reports to me…" | Jake Paul | 47:40 | | "I’m your daddy." | Tank Davis | 47:46 | | "That’s how I know you soft. … You’d rather pop to me on social media than get in that fire and get embarrassed." | Shakur Stevenson | ~81:28 | | "You can't want a fighter to fight more than what they want to." | Wade | 79:20 |

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:16] – NY Press Conference Breakdown Begins
• [06:36] – Tank’s Moment of Silence + comments
• [09:45] – Exhibition Rules, Weight, Rounds Announced
• [13:28] – Is Jake “elite” or not? Wade’s take
• [20:05] – “Can’t read” exchange + clown insults
• [23:49] – Clown stunt on stage, Gervonta's retort
• [38:38] – Miami Press Conference Begins (Day 2)
• [43:59] – Tank says, “No pressure…just a show.”
• [55:15] – Aiden Ross prompts multimillion $ bets
• [65:42] – Gloves negotiation & resolution
• [66:28] – Size check, physical shoves, face-off
• [76:40] – Wade transitions to Shakur/Tank Twitter beef
• [80:28]-[82:52] – Shakur vs. Tank exchange climax/Tank deletes Twitter

Tone & Analysis

Wade keeps a conversational, irreverent, and introspective tone, blending sharp boxing analysis with witty takedowns of the press conference’s cringeworthy moments and the overall spectacle’s hollowness.
The podcast is self-aware about the “circus fight” nature, repeatedly emphasizing that, while the event will sell massive numbers, neither fighter seems truly invested in professional competition.

Takeaways

• The Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis event is a spectacle, more about money and social conversation than meaningful boxing stakes.
• Both press conferences lack genuine hype or animosity; the recurring theme is disinterest, especially from Tank.
• Social media debate reveals deeper frustrations with modern boxing—the struggle between making money and building legacy.
• Despite the entertainment value, Wade (and much of the boxing world) feels a sense of missed potential and disappointment: unification and legacy fights are sidelined for circus events and massive paydays.

Summary Table of Key Events

| Segment | Main Points | Quotes/Notes | |---------|------------|--------------| | NY Press Conf | Dull, Tank disengaged, rules confusion, trolling fails | “Why we’re even doing this fight.” [04:53] | | Miami Press Conf | Energy up, big money bet, show not fight, gloves agreed | “I’m paying him. I’m his boss.” [47:40]; $2 mil bet | | Social Media Beef | Tank vs. Shakur, claims of ducking, Tank to retire? | “Boxing is dead.”; “That’s how I know you soft.” |

Final Assessment:
The Jake Paul vs. Tank Davis fight is a masterclass in modern fight promotion: money, internet hype, clout, and just enough antagonism to draw a crowd, but nowhere near the level of rivalry, engagement, or legacy that true boxing fans crave. Wade's critique embodies both an appreciation of the show and a lament for what boxing could be. The true legacy debate is left unanswered, but the entertainment value—however hollow—remains undeniable.