The worst thing was that they weren’t able to smash each other to oblivion. The Youtube stars headlined an event on DAZN, promoted by none other than Eddie Hearn. The worst part was that there were two boxing title fights on the undercard. It’s all pretty cringeworthy.
This was the second meeting in a boxing ring of the two YouTubers. Earlier in the year, they eked out a draw in an amateur boxing match held in Manchester Stadium in the UK. However, they earned praise for the way they promoted it, earning millions by hosting a pay-per-view on YouTube.
For their rematch, they decided to go professional. The pair got licenced to fight by the California Atheltic Commission and headlined the event at the Staples Center. KSI got the win by split-decision in one of the strangest events we’ve ever watched. So his professional boxing record is better than Conor McGregor’s.
What a fight that was 👏#KSILoganPaul2 pic.twitter.com/1yExeCX6oS
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) November 10, 2019
Decision
British YouTube star KSI put the pressure on throughout the first three rounds. It was incredibly sloppy but the crowd were behind the two men. His output was ridiculous and unsustainable but got the judges on his side. KSI should have got a knockdown in the third round after landing a clean hook behind he ear. However, referee Jack Reiss had a nightmare and let it go as a push.
Paul came back stronger in the last two rounds. He landed a big uppercut that dropped KSI. But he also punched the Brit on the back of the head as he was going down, so Reiss deducted him of two points. Despite this, he still got the knockdown. It was a wacky night.
Logan Paul’s second illegal move on KSI 🥊 #KSIvsLogan2 pic.twitter.com/OcaZkXRWoo
— Buddha Bong Thong (@buddhabongthong) November 10, 2019
Victory
In the end, it was KSI’s night, as he walked away with the split decision win. Of course, both men were winners as they walked away with at least $9 million each from the event. Paul wasn’t happy with the deducted points. He believes that they cost him the fight. Afterwards, he demanded a rematch but KSI turned him down, saying ‘it’s over.’ Please let it be over.
“Last time I was scared to fight,” KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams JJ Olatunji, said after the match. “This time I just went in. I just kept going and going. He couldn’t deal with my jabs. I got him.”
Reason why #LoganPaul got a -2 vs #KSI. pic.twitter.com/hJYvpuTf87
— Jordan Grant (@jordangraant) November 10, 2019
Real Boxing
In the actual boxing fights on the card, Billy Joe Saunders won by knockout in the 11th round to defend his WBO super-middleweight title. It was a shoddy performance by the Brit against a game challenger in Marcelo Caceres. But he was able to find the finish.
Elsewhere Devin Haney ground out an ugly decision win over Alfredo Santiago to defend his WBC lightweight title. Haney was hoping to benefit from the exposure of Paul and KSI’s fame, but this fight won’t have helped him. Both Saunders and Haney can consider this event to be a failed experiment.
Eddie Hearn said afterwards that he’d be open to having similar bouts in the future, as long as the participants respect the sport. Can we just keep it to professionals, please?
