Online celeb bout a huge hit

Los Angeles – Britain’s KSI (above) edged American Logan Paul in a cruiserweight boxing rematch of YouTube celebrity stars on Saturday that proved a hit with audiences and could help such fighters capture mainstream respect.

KSI, a 26-year-old London internet personality and rapper also known as Olajide Olatunji, was declared a split decision winner by judges.

Two scored KSI a winner by 5754 and 56-55 while Paul was seen a 56-55 winner by the third judge at the Los Angeles showdown, a star-studded affair with Justin Bieber, Wiz Khalifa and Mike Tyson among celebrities in the crowd.

The first fight, hyped as the biggest event in internet history, ended in a majority draw. It was contested under amateur rules in August 2018 at Manchester, England, but the rematch was a professional debut of six three-minute rounds.

Paul, who said he was ill all day before the bout, had two points deducted in the fourth round for punching KSI while he was on the canvas.

After the fight, Paul said he didn’t feel as if he was defeated.

“You’ll see me in the squared circle again,” Paul vowed. “I’ll be back.”

But KSI dismissed any thought of a third fight against Paul.

“It is done,” he said. “I’m on to the next thing.”

Fight telecaster DAZN’s executive vice president for North America, Joseph Markowski, said the fight had been a major triumph for the streaming service.

“Saturday night was a big success,” he said. “The KSI versus Logan Paul event generated a significant boost in subscriptions, caught the attention of mainstream media and introduced the sport of boxing to a completely new audience.

“Those were our goals at the outset and we are very pleased with the results.”

Paul – Mexican-American veteran pro fighter Abner Mares – a former world champion at bantamweight, super bantamweight and featherweight – ripped the online video celebrity bout.

“When did “BOXING” become such a JOKE?? #KSILoganPaul2,” Mares tweeted.

“Listen everybody’s got their own thoughts and opinion about this fight last night, but me as a real professional boxer that has sacrificed so much to get to a certain level and get paid what I deserved is a slap in the face in so many ways. – AFP