What happens when a boxing legend goes toe-to-toe in the ring with an internet personality? The world will learn on Feb. 20, when Floyd Mayweather Jr. takes on popular YouTuber Logan Paul in a pay-per-view exhibition fight.
Mayweather, who won world titles in five different weight classes, finished his professional boxing career with a perfect 50-0 record, with 27 wins by knockout.
Oddsmakers Expect Easy Mayweather Win
That’s to say that Mayweather owns a slightly more impressive resume than Paul, who has just one professional fight under his belt. That six-round bout ended in a split decision loss last November to Olajide William Olatunji, a YouTube personality better known as KSI.
Suffice it to say, oddsmakers aren’t expecting much in the way of a competitive bout. Regulated bookmakers aren’t yet offering odds on the fight, likely due both to the perceived mismatch and the scant details on the format. But, BetOnline.ag opened its market on Sunday night, listing Mayweather as a -5000 favorite over Paul (+1500).
Even those odds overstate Paul’s chances, providing the bout resembles the sport of boxing in any way. While Mayweather has fought inexperienced opponents before – think of his famous fight against MMA star Conor McGregor – this represents a whole new level of mismatch, one that state commissions probably wouldn’t sanction as a professional bout.
UFC president Dana White reacted to news of the fight by saying that throwing Paul in the ring with one of the all-time greats shows exactly what’s wrong with the sweet science.
“When people ask me what’s the state of boxing right now, that’s where it’s at,†White told Canadian YouTubers, the Nelk Boys. Didn’t that kid get beaten up by a f—ing video game kid from England, and now he’s going to fight Floyd Mayweather?â€
Paul Brothers Find Different In-Ring Fortunes
Logan Paul is the brother of Jake Paul, a fellow YouTuber who has ventured into professional boxing. Jake Paul (2-0, 2 KOs) recently found himself in the exact opposite position as his brother, fighting as the more experienced boxer against an overmatched foe.
That fight, which pit Paul against former NBA player Nate Robinson, took place on the undercard of the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition in November. Paul knocked down the inexperienced Robinson three times, finishing the fight with a vicious knockout midway through the second round.
Some commentators have connected the two fights, suggesting that Mayweather is fighting Logan Paul to get revenge for Robinson.
FanMio, an online platform that connects fans to celebrities, is organizing the fight between Mayweather and Paul. Organizers announced that the pay-per-view stream will cost $24.99 for the first million people who purchase the event, with the price increasing to $69.99 on Feb. 11. FanMio has yet to announce an undercard or other details for the event.