KSI vs Logan Paul rematch: Eddie Hearn explains how his professional fighters can learn from two YouTube 'geniuses'

'They're both geniuses, very clever people'

Thursday 26 September 2019 17:30

✕

Trailer for KSI vs Logan Paul boxing rematch

Eddie Hearn has sung the praises of KSI and Logan Paul ahead of their professional debuts on 9 November.

The two YouTube stars are in the thick of their respective training camps ahead of the rematch of their fight last year, which ended in a controversial majority decision draw in the amateur ranks.

Hearn has confirmed that both Billy Joe Saunders and Devin Haney will fight on the card as he prepares for a monster-sized event at the Staples Centre.

And Hearn believes that even the biggest and best fighters from his promotional company can learn from the two.

“They’re both geniuses, very clever people,” Hearn told The Sportsman.

KSI vs Logan Paul in pictures

Show all 65

1/65KSI vs Logan Paul in pictures

It was a tense affair

After months of verbal jabs

KSI and Logan Paul finally met in the squared circle

Paul started the quicker of the pair

Fast establishing his jab

Both men met in the middle of the ring

Refusing to back down to one another

Paul's much longer reach helped him gain an early lead

But KSI used his ring prowess to get close to his opponent

They fought in a packed out Manchester Arena

With more than 18,000 believed to be in attendance

KSI was defending his "YouTube Championship" belt

Which he won in his first amateur bout against Joe Weller

It took KSI 3 rounds to get into the fight

And when he did, he really got into the swing of things

KSI weighed in at 84.9kg for the fight

Looking lean as he hit the ring

The pair were forced to hold each other a lot in the ring

As KSI worked the body

Using his previous amateur experience to gain an edge later in the fight

The pair quickly tired as they realised the true toll of the boxing game

KSI was sporting a typically eye-catching ensemble

While Paul opted for all black

Paul entered the ring at 86kg dead

And used his size to his advantage in the early stages

The fierce rivalry began after KSI called Paul out

When he beat Weller in the first match-up between YouTubers

Paul answered the call and a fight was quickly announced

It's believed both men made

Upwards of £5 million each

With early reports they had made £25 million a hand wildly overestimated and denied

Paul trained at the Mayweather gym prior to his amateur debut

While KSI trained in London with professional boxer Viddal Riley

It took a lot of effort for KSI to find his range

With Logan the much taller man

The rematch between the pair

Will be fought at Staples Centre in Los Angeles

On 9 November

But this time...

There's a twist

It will be in the professional ranks

Promoted by Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing USA

The two YouTube stars

Will be whipping their headguards off

Putting on 10oz gloves

And finding out what the pro game is really like

The fight will be contested at cruiserweight

With the likes of

Billy Joe Saunders and Devin Haney

Set to feature on the undercard

The move has come under some controversy

With many in boxing criticising the pair's ability and skill

It will be a six-round fight

And unlike the first event which featured the likes of Deji, Jake Paul and other YouTubers

This event will solely be for professional fighters

It's expected that the Staples Centre will be a sell-out 20,000 crowd

With the arena previously playing host to the likes of Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury

The first time round

A two-fight deal was signed

And the pair fought to

A majority draw

But now, they will look to settle the score

With professional judges and the show live on DAZN in America and around the world

No stone will be left unturned by the pair

KSI vs Logan Paul II is on 9 November in Los Angeles, California

“They’re well educated, they’ve built an incredible fan base and have generated a lot of money from that popularity.

“They’re very smart and social media is very important. They can definitely show fighters how to gain a following.

“They’re both geniuses. Very clever people.”

Hearn is set to announce a women’s world title fight on the undercard too, while it could also feature the likes of Diego Pacheco, Ammo Williams and Nikita Ababiy as he looks to tie his younger generation of fighters in with the ‘new crowd’ that is set to be drawn from the night of boxing.

Join our new commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies