It is safe to say that even Conor McGregor can spot when a fight is more about money than genuine competition. That is exactly how he feels about the upcoming boxing match between Jake Paul and Gervonta Davis. Scheduled for November 14, the bout has already sparked major debate, primarily due to the massive size difference between the two fighters. Paul, who stands at 6’1”, will tower over Davis, who is just 5’5”.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer has also weighed as much as 227 pounds in past fights, while Davis usually competes around 135 pounds. Given that imbalance, McGregor isn’t buying into the hype. The Irish star made it clear in a recent statement that he has no interest in watching the fight live, which he sees as more of a cash grab than a true contest.
Conor McGregor Has Doubts on the Legitimacy of Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis Exhibition Bout
It is rare these days for Conor McGregor’s opinions to align with those of the wider combat sports community. But when it comes to Jake Paul vs. Gervonta Davis, the Irishman and boxing fans seem to be on the same page.
In a recent interview with DAZN Boxing, the former UFC double champion made it clear that he’s not buying into the hype surrounding the event. He said, “I don’t know what to make of it, to be honest. Somewhat similar to the [Mike] Tyson bout.”
He added, “I’m indifferent to it. Be curious to see [but] I’m not invested in it. I’ll watch on X. I’ll watch the highlights on X [laughs].”
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‼️ Conor McGregor’s thoughts on Jake Paul vs Gervonta Davis 👀
[Via – @DAZNBoxing’s IG] pic.twitter.com/lEgX3bkwGw
— IFN (@IfnBoxing) October 8, 2025
McGregor’s lack of enthusiasm mirrors how many fans feel about Davis choosing to face Paul instead of taking on Lamont Roach in a rematch. It will be interesting to see what kind of viewership the fight pulls in, especially since it will stream live on Netflix. But it’s clear that McGregor won’t be among those tuning in.
A fight so big they talk about it on the live broadcast of other events on other networks. Big announcements next week. Big announcements fight week. 5 weeks to Jake Paul vs Tank Davis.
____________
Friday, November 14
LIVE on Netflix
Kaseya Center – Miami, FL#JakeTank… pic.twitter.com/LlaDH7KCfG— Most Valuable Promotions (@MostVpromotions) October 10, 2025
What makes the Irishman’s comments even more interesting is his own history with crossover boxing. Back in August 2017, he took part in one of the biggest combat sports spectacles ever when he faced Floyd Mayweather in his professional boxing debut.
Initially dismissed as a ridiculous idea, the fight ended up becoming a global phenomenon because of the star power and intrigue surrounding both men. McGregor performed well early on, but Mayweather ultimately secured a 10th-round TKO victory.
Ironically, Davis actually fought on the co-main event of that same Mayweather vs. McGregor card, a night that helped catapult him to superstardom. He knocked out Francisco Fonseca at 130lbs in a stellar performance. Fast forward over eight years, and Davis is now one of boxing’s biggest attractions.
Like Mayweather, he has embraced the art of creating a spectacle, a trait clearly on display as he prepares to face Paul in an exhibition bout later this year. However, there’s a major difference. When McGregor fought Mayweather, the weight gap was relatively small. McGregor came in at 153 lbs, while Mayweather weighed 149.5 lbs. In contrast, Paul and Davis are separated by an enormous size difference, making this matchup feel far less legitimate.
Paul has also built a reputation for these kinds of gimmick fights. His recent exhibition against a 59-year-old Mike Tyson in December 2024, also on Netflix, drew heavy criticism for the three-decade age gap.
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Before that, Paul’s string of bouts against retired UFC fighters like Anderson Silva, Tyron Woodley, and Ben Askren may have boosted his popularity, but they haven’t exactly helped his credibility in the boxing world. At 12-1, Paul continues to generate headlines, but as McGregor and many fans agree, not every fight deserves to be called a real contest.
