Boxing Champion Terence Crawford Believes Jake Paul Will Beat Gervonta Davis

In a stunning twist to the already roller-coaster world of boxing crossover spectacles, undisputed pound-for-pound star Terence “Bud” Crawford has voiced a surprising endorsement: he believes YouTuber-turned-pro boxer Jake Paul might just have the upper hand over elite lightweight champion Gervonta “Tank” Davis.

Crawford’s Shocking Take

On the Full Send Podcast, Crawford was candid about the enormous weight disparity—Paul coming in around 200 pounds versus Davis at 135—calling the matchup more of an “exhibition” than a traditional fight. But despite questioning its seriousness, Crawford didn’t hold back:

“Jake is too big for Tank … I’ve seen it up close. He’s not as slow as people think, and he can punch. One good punch and it’s over.”

He emphasized that Davis is undeniably talented—explosive and powerful—but it may not be enough to counter Paul’s size and power advantage.

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The Exhibition: When and Where

This unconventional matchup is officially slated for November 14, 2025, at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s designated as an exhibition bout, set to stream globally via Netflix. The fight is generating significant buzz—not least because it’s unusual to see a world-class titleholder like Davis stepping into the ring against a much heavier celebrity athlete.

Why It Matters

This matchup tells a bigger story about boxing’s evolving landscape:

Weight vs. Skill: Crawford’s analysis isn’t unjustified—size can deliver devastating power, even against technically superior fighters.
Entertainment vs. Sport: Labeling it an exhibition underscores the entertainment-driven nature of these modern crossover events.
Publicity Power: For Jake Paul, this bout represents his biggest challenge yet—defeating (or even contending with) a legitimate champion like Davis could dramatically expand his boxing legitimacy. And for Davis, it’s a high-profile move, albeit in uncharted territory.

In Summary

Terence Crawford—himself one of boxing’s elite—believes Paul’s physical advantages could be decisive if he lands a clean shot. He views the bout as an exhibition rather than a competitive sporting duel, but acknowledges that Paul’s youth, size, and punching power could tilt the scales in his favor.

This November showdown may be less about belts and more about spectacle—but in today’s boxing climate, spectacle sells.