KSI edges Logan Paul in the boxing event of the year

Discredit the credibility of both “fighters” all you want, there is no denying that KSI and Logan Paul put on a show for the ages. Inside the Staples Center in Los Angeles, the YouTube stars went toe-to-toe for the second time in a boxing ring, this time as professionals. In the end, KSI beat Paul via split decision (55-56, 57-54, 56-55), giving him the 1-0-1 overall advantage.

As expected, it was not a decent display of athleticism. KSI was throwing wild shots and Paul did not have his hands up at all. Both of their footwork was something you would show to a rookie on what not to do. What it was, however, was a show thousands paid to attend and millions paid to watch at home.

https://twitter.com/DAZN_USA/status/1193398066830872576

One of the most consistent aspects of the fight was the shots thrown. After two, KSI landed 24 of 97 shots while Paul landed 26 of 76. Another aspect of the fight were the controversies behind it. KSI may have landed a shot that knocked Paul down, but Paul stated he slipped several times. Referee Jack Reiss, as professional as they come, was treating this like a legit match. The latter may have warranted the oh so obvious rematch.

In the fourth, Paul hit KSI with an uppercut that dropped him. However, KSI was fouled for hitting a late shot to the back of the head. Reiss ruled the knockdown legit, but took away two points off of Paul for the shot at the end. There was an immediate stage of panic, confusion and anger after, as everyone knew the outcome could very well be determined by the two points.

Logan Paul scores a knockdown over KSI, but is deducted two points.#KSILoganPaul2 pic.twitter.com/KIdOMIgEKb

— DAZN USA (@DAZN_USA) November 10, 2019

“I will say, no warning (from the referee),” Paul stated after the fight. “And I got two points taken away from me and that’s why I think I lost tonight. I think if you do the math, the two points I got taken away from me was the reason I lost tonight. I would love to contest the (California State Athletic) commission because I think I should have got a warning. I don’t think it was fair at all.”

Paul was very interested in a rematch, but KSI believes the beef is squashed. Someone who would love a rematch is Matchroom Boxing’s Eddie Hearn, who took advantage of the box office buzz the two were generating.

For one night, the circus was in town. Whether it was the right call to make, we can all see that boxing was king, even for reasons the purists may not like. And just like this one, the next fight between the two is sure to piss more people off.

It is also sure to produce twice as much as it made on Saturday night.