YouTube stars KSI and Logan Paul touched gloves in the Los Angeles Staples Center to settle their long-running grudge for good – and, after a year and a half of waiting, it was KSI who reigned victorious.
Following three explosive press conferences, a star-studded weigh-in, and months of trash talk, KSI secured the victory on November 9 by a split decision from the judges, sending the online world reeling.
KSI took the win after six rounds of explosive boxing in a close fight, managing to down Logan Paul in round three with a shot behind the head. While KSI suffered a knockdown in the fourth round, being scored 55 – 56 / 57-54 / 56-55 tipped the scales in his favor, finally sealing his beef with Paul for good.
KSI and Logan Paul met at their pre-fight weigh-in on November 8, which resulted in a slew of trash talk ahead of their November 9 rematch.
With KSI being coached by Viddal Riley and Paul under the guidance of Shannon Briggs, both entertainers brought the heat to November 9’s main event: a bout that has ended in mutual respect from both parties.
“The KSI last time was scared,” KSI said of his victory. “I was scared to touch [Logan Paul]. I was scared to get close to him. This time, I just went in. I just kept going. …I’m a dog. He hit me hard, and then he hit me in the back of the head. Your boy is happy, your boy is victorious. …I am a fighter and I keep going. That’s it.”
“It takes a big man to get in the ring,” he continued, after shaking hands with his opponent. “You made me work today. Thank you for a good fight, brother.”
KSI secured the win by split decision by the judges.
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While Logan Paul made up with his rival, he contested this decision from the commission, arguing that he shouldn’t have lost two points for hitting KSI while he was down after scoring a knockdown in the fourth round.
Logan Paul’s loss comes as a huge surprise to viewers as he was deemed the favorite to take the fight, with KSI penned as the bout’s underdog.
According to online betting platform Bovada, their money line bet placed KSI as the dark horse at a whopping -200, with odds for Paul sitting at +160.
This rematch comes a year and a half after the YouTubers’ initial bout on August 25, 2018, which resulted in a majority draw that disappointed fans, critics, and the fighters, themselves.
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Following this result, a leaked contract revealed a two-fight deal for the internet stars, with their rematch slated for February 2019 – but due to conflicts with Logan Paul’s team, their second bout was moved to November 9.
Streamed exclusively on sports broadcasting services DAZN and Sky Sports Box Office, the rematch wasn’t available on YouTube, unlike last year – and although viewership for the bout has yet to be released, last year’s bout saw 2.25 million eyes, with 1.2 million viewing illegally through Twitch.
Boasting an all-pro undercard, the KSI vs Logan Paul rematch marks the net’s biggest foray into the boxing world to date – but only time will tell if the online generation’s interest in the sport will hold.
