The Herd with Colin Cowherd

THE W.A.D.E. Concept - WEEK IN REVIEW: Mayweather vs Pacquiao Rematch, Dana White & Tom Aspinall, Andrew Tate Takes Over Misfits, and Jake Paul vs Davis Controversy
Date: November 3, 2025

Overview

This episode of The Herd (specifically the W.A.D.E. Concept segment) dives deep into four of the most explosive stories rocking the combat sports world:

1. Breaking news of a potential Mayweather vs Pacquiao rematch on Netflix in 2026
2. The fallout and controversy after the UFC heavyweight eye-poke and Dana White’s treatment of Tom Aspinall
3. A dramatic storyline shift in Misfits Boxing as Andrew Tate “takes over” as CEO, displacing KSI
4. The latest on Jake Paul vs Gervonta “Tank” Davis—and how new domestic abuse allegations could topple the event

Filled with sharp analysis, strong opinions, and a touch of WWE-worthy drama from the influencer boxing world, W.A.D.E. covers both big-picture implications and behind-the-scenes motives, with a distinct voice that mixes irreverence, skepticism, and deep fight expertise.

Section 1: Mayweather vs Pacquiao Rematch on Netflix?!

[02:40–14:05]

Key Points & Insights

• Announcement & Context:
  • Reports surface from The Ring Magazine (via Mike Coppinger) that Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are in serious talks for a 2026 rematch to stream on Netflix (04:13).
  • This would be over a decade after their first bout, which was already considered 5 years too late in 2015.
• Industry Reactions:
  • The fight would be a massive event for Netflix, joining their recent slate of crossover spectacles (Canelo-Crawford, Jake Paul–Mike Tyson).
  • Despite advanced age (“Both these guys are old. Both were the highest level in the world, but when they fought it was about five years too late then… That was 11 years ago… What would make it any different now?” – Podcast Co-host 05:04), the host acknowledges he’ll still tune in due to their historic status.
• Is it Good for Boxing?
  • Host debates pros and cons: On one hand, big names draw new, casual eyes; on the other, reliance on “novelty” fights spotlights boxing’s failure to build new stars.
  • Despite controversy, sees this as “more like Roy Jones Jr. vs Mike Tyson exhibition” (07:55), not a full-on circus. Netflix’s approach to premium, attention-grabbing events is praised.
  • Suggests that stacking “undercards” with rising talent is the best way for the sport to benefit from the massive eyes these events draw.
• Risk to Legends:
  • There is some concern that fans, especially newer generations, won’t distinguish prime legends from their current aged versions, possibly diminishing legacies (10:35).
• Notable Quotes:
  • “I will watch this. I will break it down, I will enjoy it.” – Co-host (08:28)
  • “There will be a generation of kids that do watch this fight and go, well, these are supposed to be the greatest of all time. They don’t look like that.” – Co-host (09:30)
• Panel Reactions:
  • Malik Scott: “I actually believe people will feed into it heavy because we’re talking about two of the elites of all time ... I just think it does numbers.” (14:05)

Memorable Moment

• Acknowledgement that the fight isn’t the most “consequential" for the division but can still serve the sport by spotlighting new talent beneath the main event (13:23).

Section 2: Dana White “Hates” Tom Aspinall—UFC Eye Poke Fallout

[16:51–41:10]

Key Points & Insights

• Context:

  • After a UFC heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane ends in a no-contest due to a double eye poke, Dana White’s post-fight comments come under scrutiny.
  • The host claims to see a “pattern” of Dana White having tough relationships with certain heavyweight champions, and especially now with Aspinall.

• Breakdown of Dana White’s Press Conference:

  • Dana offers little public support for Aspinall’s injury, instead focusing on how the event outcome is “a pain in the ass” (20:04).
  • When asked about the severity/intent of eye pokes, Dana responds: “Who the fuck knows? Who gives a shit?” (21:35) – interpreted as checked-out and dismissive.

• Discussion on Rules & Outcomes:

  • Host and analysts debate whether the current system of ruling these incidents as no contests is optimal, or if immediate DQ should apply, especially if fouling fighter is behind on the scorecards.

• Dana White’s Attitude:

  • Throughout, Dana's lack of overt empathy for Aspinall raises eyebrows: “He’s on his way to the hospital.” (21:23) and later “Can’t make someone fight.” (33:44).
  • Host suggests this is less about rules and more about Dana’s personal feelings toward Aspinall, compounded by recent public comments from Aspinall’s father and Tom’s reluctance to fight friends or sign a new UFC contract (41:03).

• Pattern with UFC Heavyweight Champs:

  • Drawing parallels with Dana’s fraught relationships with Stipe Miocic and Francis Ngannou, the show argues that crossing Dana (over contract, future plans, or friendships) reliably invites the promoter’s ire.
  • “You only answer a question that way if you fucking hate your heavyweight champion, you can't convince me otherwise.” – Co-host (39:14)

Notable Quotes

• “Dana White fucking hates Tom Aspinall.” – Co-host (44:10)
• “It just feels like a checked out Dana White.” – Co-host (22:10)
• “How do we go forward having confidence in the heavyweight champion of the world if not only the—The online fan base is like, ah, look at Tom. Scared, quitter... but you have the freakin’ head of the UFC being like, ‘well, only Tom knows if he was really hurt or not.’” —Co-host (34:07)

Memorable Moment

• Audio dissection of Dana’s press responses, including the abrupt “Who gives a shit?” as evidence of a rift between UFC boss and his champ.

Section 3: Andrew Tate "Takes Over" Misfits Boxing—KSI Ousted?

[47:14–75:35]

Key Points & Insights

• Event Trailer Drops:
  • During the show, a dramatic trailer is released teasing a “hostile takeover” at Misfits Boxing—Andrew Tate is made the new “CEO,” replacing KSI (55:31).
  • Mams Taylor (Misfits President) narrates the split, citing KSI’s lack of focus and mounting other ventures as reason for removing him (“We need a new CEO ... KSI, you are no longer the CEO of Misfits Boxing. You have been relinquished of your duties.” – 52:29).
• W.A.D.E. Analysis:
  • Host is aware it’s mostly a storyline (“This is probably a work ... but even when I know this is probably a storyline, he’s still taking some little slick shots” – 51:36), but still highlights real business tension under the surface.
  • Speculation that KSI may never fight again grows, noting he still hasn’t scheduled hand surgery and seems less and less invested (53:27).
  • The “new CEO” Andrew Tate, with his history of controversy and legal baggage, is a polarizing pick, but W.A.D.E. points out Tate’s ability to generate headlines and “promo” matches exceeds KSI’s (65:27).
  • W.A.D.E. wonders aloud about “window dressing” to allow KSI to step back, while keeping a possible future showdown (old CEO vs new CEO) on the table—classic “WWE” strategy.
• Tate’s First Acts as CEO:
  • Immediately books himself in the Misfits main event in Dubai on December 20 against Chase DeMoor, ordering a mandatory heavyweight title defense for himself.
  • Suggests ambition for more fights, including interest in tag team boxing ("The Tates win every single time in every single way" – 75:09) and even a showdown with the Paul brothers.
• KSI’s Social Media Reaction:
  • Fires off a string of tweets expressing outrage—though W.A.D.E. muses these, too, are part storyline/part genuine frustration (66:09).

Notable Quotes

• “Andrew Tate is coming to Misfits. He’s taken over by storm. The new CEO. KSI is pissed.” – Co-host (75:35)
• “He’s already done a better promo right here, no joke ... than KSI has ever done when it comes to promoing his fight.” – Co-host (65:27)

Memorable Moment

• The entire hostile-takeover angle, capped by Tate’s brash “Who’s the person…everybody wants to see fight? … It’s me. Isn’t that convenient?” (55:50)
• Speculation about whether this means the end of KSI in the ring, and what Tate’s arrival means for the future (and sponsors) of Misfits.

Section 4: Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis in Jeopardy—Allegations Upend Mega-Fight

[79:24–End]

Key Points & Insights

• Breaking News:
  • Jake Paul vs Gervonta “Tank” Davis (scheduled for November 14 on Netflix) is in “serious jeopardy” after new domestic violence allegations are leveled against Davis (79:24).
• Details of Allegations:
  • ESPN’s Andreas Hale and Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix both report a civil suit in Miami-Dade County by Davis’ ex-girlfriend, alleging battery, aggravated battery, false imprisonment, kidnapping, and threats to kill her (81:12).
  • Lawsuit claims multiple incidents, some in public; Davis has a prior history of similar allegations (this would be the fifth such incident).
• Industry Fallout:
  • Netflix and Jake Paul’s team (Most Valuable Promotions) are already seeking potential replacements (81:18).
  • W.A.D.E. notes that for a streaming platform like Netflix and sponsors, participating in a headliner featuring someone with ongoing abuse allegations is untenable: “Do you think they’re going to be okay with a guy that repeatedly…? I don’t think that’s something that Netflix is wanting to be a part of at that point.” (86:38)
  • Expresses frustration for Jake Paul, who is “doing everything right” but keeps having fights torpedoed by opponents’ personal/legal issues.
• Possible Replacements:
  • Host suggests if the show is postponed, Tommy Fury would be a logical replacement—noting that other big names (Andrew Tate, Anthony Joshua, etc.) are unavailable for various promotional/legal reasons (91:51).
  • Observes that “ticket sales don’t look good,” but insists the fight isn’t being scrapped just due to sales.
• Ethical Line in Combat Sports:
  • Host underscores that if the allegations are proven true, the right call is to cancel, however painful: “Kudos to Jake, Nikisha [Paul's business partner], Netflix, whoever—if they find out that this stuff is true…that’s the right move.” (91:01)
  • On the cumulative impact: “If this turns out to be true … should be locked up. … How many more are going to keep happening with the same pattern of behavior over and over before someone says enough is enough?” (88:05)

Notable Quotes

• “He is a massive, massive screw up…unbelievably a massive screw up for the guy with his amount of talent…” – Co-host (84:16)
• “That’s where we are right now…According to Chris Mannix, the event runners are looking for potential replacements. They don’t have answers yet.” – Co-host (90:18)

Memorable Moment

• Deep-dive on the damaging effect of repeated fighter/legal mishaps—“I almost feel bad for Jake. This isn’t his fault. He’s done everything he should do… The other side once again is a complete screw up.” (92:28)

Quotes & Timestamps – Summary Table

| Time | Speaker | Quote | |------------|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 05:04 | Co-host | “Both these guys are old...when they fought it was about five years too late then. That was 11 years ago. And we saw how the fight went then. What would make it any different now?” | | 08:28 | Co-host | “I will watch this. I will break it down, I will enjoy it.” | | 10:35 | Co-host | “There will be a generation of kids that do watch this fight and go, well, these are supposed to be the greatest of all time. They don’t look like that.” | | 14:05 | Malik Scott | “People will feed into it heavy because we’re talking about two of the elites of all time… I just think it does numbers.” | | 21:35 | Dana White | “Who the fuck knows? Who gives a shit? What are you gonna do?” | | 33:44 | Dana White | “Just like, you know, I can’t make people fight, right?... Only Tom knows what happened. You know, could he see? Couldn’t he see? Could he continue? Only he knows that.” | | 39:14 | Co-host | “You only answer a question that way if you fucking hate your heavyweight champion, you can't convince me otherwise.” | | 44:10 | Co-host | “Dana White fucking hates Tom Aspinall. I think he hates dealing with him or his dad...” | | 51:36 | Co-host | “Even when I know this is probably a storyline, he’s still taking some little slick shots like, hey, I’m gonna tell the truth a little bit here…” | 55:50 | Andrew Tate | “Who’s the person…everybody wants to see fight? … It’s me. Isn’t that convenient? Quite easy. I heard he’s a great guy. Easy to work with.” | | 65:27 | Co-host | “He’s already done a better promo…than KSI has ever done when it comes to promoing his fight.” | | 79:24 | Co-host | “The fight is in jeopardy—and it’s for a reason that I think you all could believe, but maybe can’t believe is happening again.” | | 84:16 | Co-host | “He is a massive, massive screw up…unbelievably a massive screw up for the guy with his amount of talent…” | | 86:38 | Co-host | “Do you think they’re going to be okay with a guy that repeatedly…? I don’t think that’s something that Netflix is wanting to be a part of at that point.” |

Conclusion

This episode encapsulated the current storm in fight sports: aging legends returning for box-office cash grabs, the UFC’s business-first sometimes callous approach to its fighters, influencer boxing’s deliberate blurring of business and entertainment (with a dash of real frustration), and the ever-present risk of real-world allegations derailing major events. W.A.D.E. kept the tone punchy but sharp, calling out hypocrisy, poor leadership, or stale promotion in every corner—and always holding the big picture: how do these headlines help or hurt the long-term health of combat sports and the rise of a new generation?

If you missed the episode, these are the stories—and heated opinions—you need to know.