Jake Paul vs Tank Davis: Entertainment or Setback for Boxing?

The boxing world woke up to another headline-grabbing announcement: Jake Paul vs Tank Davis is set to take place in an exhibition under Netflix’s new wave of fight promotions. Like it or not, this matchup is dominating the conversation — and it raises important questions about the direction of the sport.

In this blog, we’ll break down the fight from both the entertainment and boxing perspectives, ask whether Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis should even be happening, and share our thoughts on what it means for the sport’s future.

1. The Matchup Nobody Expected

On one side, you have Jake Paul — the YouTuber-turned-boxer who has leveraged his platform into headline fights, ruffling feathers among purists while bringing millions of new eyes to the sport. On the other, Gervonta “Tank” Davis, one of the most explosive pound-for-pound fighters in the world, a three-weight world champion known for his devastating knockout power.

Make no mistake: in terms of skill, Gervonta Davis vs Jake Paul is not a fair contest. Tank has grown up in the sport, honed by years of amateur and professional experience. Jake, while improved from where he started, is still an influencer learning the craft.

So why is it happening? The short answer: money and attention. Netflix knows spectacle sells, and this fight has plenty of it.

2. Boxing as Entertainment vs. Boxing as a Sport

This fight is another example of the growing divide:

• Boxing as entertainment: Celebrity-driven matchups, crossover fights, social media hype.
• Boxing as sport: Legacy, belts, discipline, and respect for the craft.

Paul has undeniably brought business into boxing. But the danger is clear: these fights risk overshadowing legitimate bouts where fighters dedicate their lives to climbing the ranks.

Our stance? There’s nothing wrong with exhibitions for entertainment, but they shouldn’t become the face of boxing.

3. Who “Wins” This Matchup?

Let’s be honest: If Tank Davis treats this seriously, it won’t be competitive. His timing, speed, and power are levels above Jake Paul. A real fight would be dangerous. But since this is framed as an exhibition, the outcome will likely be handled with more caution.

• Jake’s chance to “win”: Survive the rounds, land a few clean punches, and walk away saying he went toe-to-toe with one of the best.
• Tank’s job: Protect his legacy while delivering enough entertainment for Netflix’s audience.

So in reality, the winner isn’t in the ring — it’s Netflix, who will cash in on attention, subscriptions, and mainstream hype.

4. Should This Fight Have Been Made?

Purists will argue no — it cheapens the sport. And we agree to a point. Fighters who dedicate their lives to boxing deserve the spotlight more than influencers. But the business side can’t be ignored.

If there’s a silver lining, it’s this: if even a small percentage of Jake Paul fans stick around to watch real championship boxing after this, it’s a net gain for the sport.

Still, we stand by what Fereli believes in: boxing should be about fighters, not influencers.

5. What It Means for Boxing’s Future

Fights like this force the community to ask: what is boxing’s identity?

• If it becomes all entertainment, the sport loses credibility.
• If it shuts the door on new audiences, it misses growth opportunities.

The balance lies in keeping exhibitions separate from the path to world titles. Legacy fights should never be diluted by spectacle.

Final Thoughts

Jake Paul vs Tank Davis is going to get people talking. Some will laugh, some will rage, and others will tune in out of pure curiosity. But when the final bell rings, the real winners should be the fighters who dedicate their lives to the sport — not just those who entertain on Netflix.

At Fereli, we’ll always stand on the side of authenticity: real fighters, real discipline, real boxing.

Train Like a Fighter

Spectacle or not, your training is real. Step into the gym with gear that honors the sport:

• Handcrafted gloves built for fighters: Fereli Gloves
• Precision training tools to sharpen your timing: Fereli Air Pads
• Statement apparel for those who take boxing seriously: Welcome to the Order T-Shirt

Follow us on Instagram @fereliboxing for boxing insights, training tips, and our take on the fight world.