Let’s Break Down The ‘Mayweather-McGregor’ Of YouTube Fights: Logan Paul Vs. ‘FIFA’ Streamer KSI

Your chance to see Logan Paul getting punched in the face is coming. Paul and fellow uber-popular YouTube star KSI (of FIFA streaming fame) have begun a smorgasbord of trash-talking videos to hype their boxing match which they are calling the “Mayweather-McGregor of YouTube.”

For the most part, the motivations behind the fight are simple: KSI called out the Paul brothers after he boxed another YouTuber into a bloody pulp, and now we’re here. It will be messy, silly, and cathartic for many people who want to see Paul (and even KSI) take a smack in the face. They will make a bunch of money, and everyone will move on.

For our part, we’re here to break down the disappointingly important fight that will be as entertaining as any celebrity boxing match with a healthy loathing of those involved. So this is what we know about Paul and KSI after reading about :

  • Paul is training at the Mayweather gym, which is obviously extremely good for his development
  • Paul looks like he’s throwing punches possibly for the first time
  • Paul’s got good size, is in good shape, and we’ve seen him run and crash into things over the years, but how well does that translate to getting punched in the face?
  • KSI has been training for nearly a year and looks like a natural in the ring
  • KSI is riding high after beating another YouTuber bloody last year
  • KSI could be cocky after beating up a YouTube musician

Here’s an excellent breakdown from Boxing Physique that shows KSI and Paul’s training side by side. Keep in mind KSI has already fought, and been training for quite a while, but his first session shows he’s got naturally heavy hands. He’s moving his hips well and smacking the mats with each strike. Paul is a beginner, so you can’t fault him, but he’s throwing arm punches and looks like he’s not willing to trade. The guy is a grappler in a striking match.

KSI has legitimate power and has already beaten up another YouTuber in Joe Weller a few months ago. He’s been there, he’s felt a punch to the dome, even if it was in headgear (wearing headgear sometimes makes punches suck worse as they’re mostly there to prevent cuts), and who knows how Logan will handle the pressure KSI can bring. Watch the fight between Weller and KSI below. Notice how both dudes are relatively gassed early, but KSI has that Diego Sanchez I’m Going To Keep Coming And Hitting You With Strange Power skill.

Now, keep in mind that Paul does have some training, but it’s mostly against his brother in an MMA cage. The brothers Paul are big fans of the grappling and wrestled when they were in school, but in a stand-up fight, they could be out of their league. Still, you never want to count out the grit and determination of a wrestler. They’re carved of something inhuman the moment the fist chin digs into their spine in grade school.

So how will this work out?

One thing is for sure: both of these men are in good shape and the fight very well could be competitive if Paul is able to land early. But right now, it looks like KSI could be trouble for Paul, which makes a lot of people happy after his antics on YouTube.

According to “the internet,” Paul is 6-2, 198 pounds. That’s a big guy. KSI is supposedly six foot and weighs roughly 160 pounds. If that’s the case, Paul can simply tie up KSI and exhaust his arms for the first few rounds then beat on him late. Wrestlers typically have never-ending gas tanks, but getting hit changes things. As Mike Tyson famously said: “everyone has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.”

If KSI can use his speed and accuracy to disrupt Paul’s game and keep the man who laughed at a suicide victim at range, then he can do this. He’s got the first fight out of the way and now he just has to go out there and do his job. Knowing Paul is primarily a grappler means Paul might have a chip on his shoulder and want to strike, which could end poorly for him. If he fights smart, and being smart is something that Paul rarely does, then this could be a long night.

There’s no doubt Paul is obnoxious and terrible, but it’ll be fun to see these guys give each other bloody noses.

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