Floyd Mayweather has a way of keeping the narrative steered towards his vision.
— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) December 6, 2020
The Money Team boss announced via social media that he would be facing YouTube star Logan Paul next in an exhibition boxing match. The undefeated, 12-time, five-division boxing superstar will face Logan “The Maverick” Paul on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021.
The bout further blurs the line between sports and entertainment fans alike. The fight was put together by Fanmio, an online platform that connects fans with celebrities by creating one-of-a-kind online fan experiences.
Fanmio is entering into high profile boxing events with its new division, Fanmio Boxing. Mayweather vs. Paul will be the first fight promoted, produced and distributed exclusively on Fanmio Boxing.
The revelation comes on the heels of the highly successful Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones, Jr., exhibition bout.
.@ShannonSharpe on Floyd Mayweather's exhibition fight with Logan Paul:
"Ever since Nate got knocked out by Logan's brother, we've been looking for our get back. This is our get back! This is for the culture, we have to represent." pic.twitter.com/LvgiW7pk41
— UNDISPUTED (@undisputed) December 7, 2020
The Thanksgiving weekend heavyweight bout saw Nate Robinson get knocked out by fellow YouTube and brother to Logan Paul, Jake Paul. The definitive viral KO OF 2020, which was an actual professional bout, elevated Jake Paul’s status as a popular fighter.
However, it has also had the residual effect of crossing the Paul brothers’ name into the pop culture stratosphere of sports. Mayweather, a friend of Nate Robinson might be attempting to avenge his friend’s loss by fighting the brother of Nate’s opponent.
Me after seeing Logan Paul is 20/1 to beat Mayweather pic.twitter.com/uAQYWAijSB
— Harry (@wroetoshaw) December 7, 2020
Y’all Must Have Forgot
Mayweather is the first to make millions off an exhibition bout in recent memory.
On New Year’s Eve in 2018, the 50-0 boxing icon made Japanese Kickboxer, Tenshin Nasukawa hit the canvas three times in exhibition bout.
Mayweather flew to Tokyo after being offered $9 million by Japanese MMA promotion RIZIN for a three-round exhibition. The bout took place at the Saitama Super Arena.
Nasukawa’s corner jumped in to call a halt to the contest
At the time, Nasukawa’s promoter was to have the unbeaten prospect’s global profile raised by facing one of the most recognizable faces on the planet.
The $9 million fee for the bout put the exhibition in a whole new perspective until Tyson vs. Jones surpassed with Tyson receiving a reported $10 million.
The pay-per-view itself netted 1.2million buys, putting it on par or better than major professional bouts PPV performance.
Logan Paul’s last fight was a rematch against his YouTube nemesis, KSI back in November 2019.
KSI (1-0) triumphed over Logan Paul (0-1) in front of a raucous crowd of 12,137 fans at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and live on DAZN.
In the fourth round of their six-round bout, Paul knocked down KSI with an uppercut that was ruled illegal and resulted in a two-point deduction. KSI ultimately won by split decision to settle the score following their majority draw in August 2018.
No details yet as to the weight limit for the Mayweather exhibition bout. Logan Paul’s last bout was at cruiserweight, a weight limit of 200 lbs. Mayweather retired a welterweight champion and has fought no higher than light middleweight, which is no higher than 154 lbs.
Now that exhibition bouts are proven to be lucrative, Mayweather is keeping it alive and will undoubtedly cash in at the same time.
