Youtube personalities KSI and Logan Paul will be facing off once again in a highly-anticipated November 9 rematch at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
It is important to note that this time, the social media superstars will actually be competing as licensed cruiserweight professionals in a six-round bout without headguards and with ten-ounce gloves.
In a move that has sparked widespread controversy and bemusement, promoter Eddie Hearn has positioned the two feuding vloggers at the top of a pay-per-view card featuring WBO super-middleweight champion Billy-Joe Saunders and WBC lightweight champion Devin Haney, defending their respective titles against Marcelo Esteban Coceres and Alfredo Santiago.
Although promoter Hearn is supremely confident in his belief that the event will successfully advertise boxing to a younger audience, many people have also argued that it somewhat trivialises the sport.
However, the popularity of the two combatants and the magnitude of the fight is beyond question, as Hearn presumably seeks to capitalise on the pair’s huge fan-following to bolster the profiles of other fighters on the card, such as undefeated hopefuls Nikita Ababiy and Diego Pacheco.
Indeed, the first KSI-Paul encounter on August 25 of last year at the Manchester Arena – essentially a white-collar showdown – was deemed the “biggest internet event” in history and was declared a majority draw after six rounds.
Westlake, Ohio native Paul started strongly and assertively – using his height and reach advantages to good effect – before his British counterpart rallied furiously to salvage a draw on the scorecards.
Ultimately, this time, Paul is hopeful that his conditioning and renewed dedication to the sport – in addition to the guidance of former heavyweight champion Shannon Briggs – will enable him to close the chapter on his rivalry with KSI in clinical style.
Article by: Navi Singh
Follow Navi on Twitter at: @DarkMan________