For a moment, it worried a few as the beef stepped into the personal zone. But the Terence Crawford–Gervonta Davis online spat thankfully spilled over into a bit more esoteric zone—the money. It’s been some time since the two world champions have been taking digs at each other. For one, their differences aren’t altogether new.

The latest dispute stemmed from Davis ranting about not being invited to the Ring Awards. The gala saw the who’s who of boxing meet in London. but including Davis, a few prominent ones were absent, though. So taking a dig at the lightweight champion, Crawford hurled a taunt that the Baltimorean didn’t appreciate. Needlessly he pulled the Nebraskan’s family into the issue. However, the discussion soon spilled over into who makes or had made more money over the years. So we thought, why not check and see who stands where in terms of raking in the big moolah?

Gervonta Davis and Terence Crawford’s career highlights over the years

Before exploring the money trail, let’s assess the ground – where the two champions currently stand. The younger of the two, Gervonta Davis, began his professional boxing career in 2013. Over the years, he has fought thirty times and remains unbeaten. What truly sets Davis apart is his remarkable knockout-to-win ratio. At an astounding 93.33%, he is undeniably one of the sport’s most formidable punchers.

On June 15 last year, after a year-long break following his decisive victory over Ryan Garcia in April 2023, Gervonta Davis returned to defend his WBA title against Frank Martin. The fight concluded with an eighth-round KO win for Davis. Despite some hurdles along the way, he now has a fight scheduled for March 1 against Lamont Roach Jr.

Terence Crawford, on the other hand, began his professional career a bit earlier. Starting in 2008, he has stepped into the ring 41 times and, like Davis, remains undefeated. Crawford may not be known as a prolific finisher. But he has consistently maintained a presence in the pound-for-pound (P4P) rankings. His impeccable boxing skills have earned him widespread admiration, and he is rightfully regarded as one of the best boxers in the world.

Last year, perhaps setting his sights on a dream fight against Canelo Alvarez, Crawford moved up a division and faced Israil Madrimov. With the new year underway, rumors are swirling about a potential September showdown with Alvarez, which could further cement his legacy.

Thus, while one champion is building momentum, the other potentially stands on the brink of a historic clash.

Gervonta Davis – the pay-per-view powerhouse

Responding to Crawford’s jibe, Gervonta Davis wrote, “And I still make more than you. Y’all think he’s chasing greatness. He’s not; that’s what he has to do to make decent money… f**k boys.” Firstly, it’s a real challenge to determine where both Davis and Crawford stand in terms of net worth and payout details.

For instance, Celebrity Net Worth estimates Terence Crawford’s current net worth to be around $20 million. For Gervonta Davis, it’s approximately $10 million. However, there are a few other indicators, as shared by experts, that may provide hints about who holds the edge over the other.

Strictly focusing on pay-per-view (PPV) records, data shows that Gervonta Davis has generated over 2 million PPV buyouts. It includes a record-breaking 1.2 million from his fight against Ryan Garcia. These events have reportedly brought in a staggering $197 million in revenue. In comparison, Terence Crawford’s matches have amassed just over 1 million PPV sales across four major fights, generating approximately $82 million in revenue. This includes the 700,000 PPVs earned from his bout against Errol Spence Jr.

Crawford claimed that Davis hasn’t been making more money. He suggested this might be why he’s chasing a rematch against the crowd-pleaser Ryan Garcia. So Mike Coppinger commented, “Outside of the Ryan Garcia fight, Terence Crawford has earned multiples more than Gervonta Davis for his bouts with Madrimov and Spence compared to Tank’s bouts with Frank Martin, Hector Luis Garcia, and the upcoming bout with Roach.”

Perhaps this disparity explains why Davis’ manager, Leonard Ellerbe, jumped to his defense, criticizing Mike Coppinger for drawing comparisons between the two.

Yet, Terence Crawford benefits from an initial advantage

What likely works in Crawford’s favor is his extensive tenure in the sport. Back in 2016, during his fight against Hank Lundy, Crawford earned a seven-figure purse of $1.21 million. By 2017, when Gervonta Davis faced Francisco Fonseca, he received a guaranteed purse of $600,000, along with a 55% share of the earnings.

Let’s take a look at their biggest fights. For his bout against Errol Spence Jr., Terence Crawford reportedly earned $25 million, including a share of the PPV revenue. Meanwhile, in his fight against Ryan Garcia, Gervonta Davis took home around $15 million, which included a $5 million guarantee and 50% of the PPV earnings.

Looking at the current landscape, following recent fights, such as his bout with Frank Martin, Gervonta Davis may have witnessed a noticeable decline in PPV buyouts. He is undoubtedly a gifted fighter. But matchups like his upcoming one with Lamont Roach Jr. may not offer the same potential for generating a lucrative fight. As a result, it’s unlikely that Davis will replicate the revenue figures he earned from the Garcia fight.

The fight against Israil Madrimov may not have been a huge money spinner for Terence Crawford. But it’s clear that this strategy has worked in his favor. It has now positioned him for one of boxing’s greatest showdowns—the potential fight against Canelo Alvarez. One can only imagine the kind of money this epic matchup would bring Crawford.

In Closing

And there it is—the difference between Davis and Crawford lies in their ability to draw a crowd versus their pursuit of legacy. So, what are we looking at here? When it comes to sheer popularity and drawing a crowd, Gervonta Davis is second to none. With over 7.5 million Instagram followers, he commands a massive online following. In comparison, 1.8 million for Terence Crawford. However, Crawford stands out as the more respected of the two, known for his artistry and technical prowess in the ring.

What do you think? To settle their differences, does a fight between Terence Crawford and Gervonta Davis make sense to you?