Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis: Legitimate Fight or Pure Spectacle?
The announcement of the exhibition match between Jake Paul and Gervonta “Tank” Davis has set the boxing world on fire. With Paul outweighing Davis by several weight classes, many are asking: Does this make any sense?, or just another spectacle that risks damaging the sport’s credibility?
Why the Fight Makes Sense (From an Entertainment View)
- Crossover Appeal: Jake Paul brings his massive social media following, while Davis has die-hard boxing fans and is arguably one of the best fighters pound for pound. And in this case the ridiculous weight gap between the two of them makes people talk even more about it. Altogether, it’s guaranteed to generate headlines and views worldwide.
- Netflix Factor: With the fight rumored to be carried on streaming platforms like Netflix, millions of casual fans will tune in — potentially exposing new audiences to boxing. (If you can call this boxing. But at least its pretty close.)
- High Stakes Drama: On paper, the smaller Davis fighting the bigger Paul creates a David vs. Goliath narrative. Fans love storylines like this, even if the size mismatch is glaring.
- Money Talks: Both fighters stand to make career-high paydays. In the business of boxing, that often trumps logic. In my book Gervonta deserves a good payday not so much because of his questionable persona but more because that he has had a pretty long career with a lot of really impressing victories. Even tough I would rather see him against a top boxer in his own weight class, but thats another story. I would say that in Pauls case it shows that he’s only in it for the money (which is fair) but a little more honesty wouldn’t hurt. On the other hand, honesty doesn’t sell tickets or ppv. So the Paul circus goes on.
Why Critics Say It’s Bad for Boxing
- Size Discrepancy: Gervonta Davis has fought at lightweight (135 lbs) and super lightweight (140 lbs). Jake Paul campaigns near cruiserweight (190 lbs). That’s a 50+ pound difference — unheard of in competitive boxing.
- Credibility Questioned: Paul has long been criticized for avoiding established fighters his own size. Facing Davis, who is A LOT smaller, cements that narrative.
- Spectacle Over Sport: Purists argue that fights like this blur the line between legitimate competition and entertainment stunts — potentially turning casual fans off real boxing.
- Risk of Backfire: If Paul wins, it will be dismissed as bullying a smaller man. If he struggles, it damages his reputation further. And if Davis gets hurt, the backlash could be severe. I would say that there is nothing positive that can come out of this event for Paul except for money of course. In Gervontas case he would get a lot of love from boxing fans if he can silence Jake Paul once and for all. And of course, he will have a great pay day as well.
The Bigger Debate: Is Boxing Becoming Too Much About Spectacle?
Exhibitions have always existed in boxing, for example Mohammed Ali did an exhibition against the Japanese pro wrestler in June 1978. But fights like Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis highlight the growing tension between the sport’s business side and its competitive integrity.
Supporters say these fights bring much-needed attention and revenue to a struggling sport. Critics argue they cheapen boxing’s legacy, pushing real contenders further out of the spotlight. Honestly, its hard to argue against any of the claims. Yes, it brings attention to boxing and yes, it can harm the legacy of the sport. Personally, I have no problem with exhibitions as long as they are entertaining but there has to be a distinction between exhibition and real boxing.
If these two go into the ring and step on the gas giving it all, who wins? I honestly believe that Paul is way to big. It’s nearly 70 lbs between the two of them. Jake Paul is not a terrible boxer. I guess you can say that he is enough if a boxer to do well against most ”average” professionals. Gervonta is not average what so ever and if he was even close to Jake Paul in weight he would absolutely destroy him. But with the weight gap there is a big risk that Jake Paul can just walk him down.
Final Word
So, does Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis make sense? From a business and entertainment perspective, absolutely. From a sporting perspective, it’s much harder to justify.
At the end of the day, the fight will likely draw millions of viewers, social media buzz, and massive revenue — but whether it adds to or detracts from boxing’s legacy is still up for debate. However I really hope that Gervonta can set an example and put the light out for Jake Paul.