Terence Crawford shouldn’t fight Jake Paul for one key reason, according to former world champion

Terence Crawford is being urged to avoid a crossover showdown with Jake Paul and pursue legitimate boxing names instead. For bettors, Crawford would be a heavy favorite over Paul — backing him is low-risk but low-value; those seeking better returns should avoid Crawford vs. Paul markets and look for value in underdog prop bets or potential matchups with bigger, less conventional opponents.

Paulie Malignaggi: Crawford Should Steer Clear of Jake Paul

Terence Crawford’s name has been floated against a number of crossover opponents, but former world champion Paulie Malignaggi believes Crawford would be squandering his legacy by taking on a social-media star. After Canelo Alvarez lost his undisputed super-middleweight titles, conversation heightened around elite fighters and potential blockbuster matchups — and Malignaggi made his stance clear.

“Above That” — Malignaggi’s View

Malignaggi argued Crawford should avoid easy payday fights against influencers or MMA converts. “You could use one of those guys as a punching bag and get a bunch of money,” he said, but immediately added that Crawford is “above that.” When prompted about Jake Paul, Malignaggi dismissed the suggestion and instead named legitimate, high-level opponents as more fitting challenges.

Who Makes Sense? Topuria and Holloway on the Radar

Rather than endorsing a bout with Jake Paul, Malignaggi pointed to fighters like Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway as better stylistic and sporting fits. Those names reflect a preference for credible, competitive matchups that preserve Crawford’s standing in boxing and offer meaningful athletic tests.

Coach’s Perspective on Big-Fight Challenges

Crawford’s camp has also publicly discussed the idea of stepping into bouts against larger or unconventional opponents. While size and style will alter betting odds and in-ring dynamics, insiders believe Crawford’s skill set would still make him a strong favorite in many of those scenarios — though not necessarily in every potential matchup.

Betting Implications and Market Outlook

With elite boxers avoiding crossover novelty fights, bookmakers are likely to treat any Crawford vs. Jake Paul offer as a mismatch, pricing Crawford as a monumental favorite. That means straight-win bets on Crawford would carry little return; value-seeking bettors might instead target prop markets (round betting, method of victory) or wait for matchups where Crawford is priced less aggressively against top-tier competition. If Crawford pursues legitimate boxing names, markets should offer more competitive odds and better betting opportunities.

Terence Crawford should steer clear of Jake Paul, says a boxing legend. Last Saturday, ‘Bud’ relieved Canelo Alvarez of his undisputed super middleweight world titles...

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