Brunch Boxing Exclusive: Inside the Davis-Martin Weigh-in Controversy

Before the bell rang for the highly anticipated Saturday night bout between Gervonta “Tank” Davis and Frank Martin, a minor controversy unfolded that added an unexpected twist to the pre-fight drama. This incident revolved around the weigh-in process, which typically is a routine affair but was muddled with confusion and allegations on the previous day.

On Friday night, Queens of the Ring Boxing Talk, a popular YouTube boxing channel, reported that Frank Martin’s team received a call informing them that the weigh-in would be delayed from 11 a.m. PST to 1:30 p.m. PST. This change in schedule prompted a flurry of speculation and concern among fans and commentators alike. In response to a query from a Twitter user about the late weigh-in, Queens of the Ring Boxing Talk stated, “No it wasn’t planned. They was supposed to weigh in at 11…then we all of a sudden got a call saying they gonna weigh at 1:30.” During a live YouTube broadcast, they further intimated that Martin did not step on the scales until closer to 3 p.m. PST, suggesting that Tank Davis’s camp might have been behind the rescheduling.

The Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) maintains strict protocols regarding weigh-ins, including setting fixed times that are not to be altered. Sources familiar with NSAC procedures asserted that no fighter, regardless of their star power, has the authority to unilaterally change a weigh-in time.

Seeking clarity, Brunch Boxing reached out to multiple sources connected to both fighters to verify whether the weigh-in had indeed been rescheduled, whether Martin was uninformed of the new time, and whether Davis’s team orchestrated the changes.

Contrary to the claims made by Queens of the Ring Boxing Talk, all sources unanimously confirmed that the weigh-in was never set for 11 a.m. A source with firsthand knowledge of the situation asserted with absolute certainty, “I can tell you with 1000% confidence that it was never moved.” This source further criticized the YouTube creators, stating bluntly, “they made that up.”

Another insider told Brunch Boxing that Frank Martin and his team were fully aware of the weigh-in time from Sunday of the fight week, dismissing the notion that any late notice was given or received. This source also clarified that the YouTube creators were not affiliated with Martin’s team and were not authorized to speak on his behalf.

Interestingly, the contentious YouTube post was made unavailable on Saturday, only to reappear on the channel the following day. PBC released a detailed schedule of the fight week festivities on Monday, June 10, on their social media platform. According to this official schedule, the main card weigh-in was always set for 3 p.m. PST, with preliminary bout fighters starting their weigh-in at 1:30 p.m. PST, leading seamlessly to the main event weigh-in.

The erroneous report stirred frustration and anger within both fighters’ camps, as such misinformation was seen as a distraction and potentially damaging to their reputations.

Brunch Boxing sought a comment from Queens of the Ring Boxing Talk regarding the incorrect report. The channel provided a statement acknowledging the error, saying, “The weigh-in times were correct. Miscommunication in the camp about the times. 1:30 was weigh-in time,” effectively retracting their initial claims.

Moreover, Queens of the Ring Boxing Talk issued a formal retraction on their social media, stating, “I need to clear something up for the record. Earlier during the week, on our platform there was a statement made about the weigh-in. A miscommunication. The weigh-in was always scheduled for 1:30 p.m. All media has been removed. Just clearing the discrepancy.”

As of this posting, the live broadcast containing the original erroneous report is still available on their YouTube channel, standing as a testament to the volatile nature of pre-fight narratives and the rapid spread of misinformation in the digital age.

The Davis-Martin weigh-in controversy, while ultimately resolved, serves as a reminder of the scrutiny and pressure surrounding high-profile boxing matches. It highlights the importance of accurate communication and the potential consequences of misinformation in the world of sports.