Fight between vlogging stars has been termed ‘the biggest event in internet history’
After months of tweeted insults, diss tracks and internet hype, two of the world’s biggest YouTubers are set to fight each other on Saturday night.
The bout between
KSI and
Logan Paul has been dubbed the biggest event in internet history, and is likely to be one of the UK’s biggest white-collar
boxing events.
KSI, real name Olajide William “JJ” Olatunji, and Logan Paul have almost 40 million subscribers between them. They are both relative beginners in the world of boxing, but thousands of fans are set to watch them fight at the Manchester Arena, and millions more online.
This is the second time two YouTubers have squared off in the ring, in a new phenomenon that attempts to monetise internet feuds by turning them into physical fights.
In February, KSI beat fellow his British YouTuber Joe Weller in front of 7,500 people at the Copper Box Arena in London. The fight has been watched online more than 14m times online.
The two have been cultivating the drama of their feud through social media in recent months, and the trash talk looks as if it will continue right up to the fight, with both tweeting jibes at each other on Saturday afternoon.
The undercard is also made up of YouTubers, including the main card’s brothers, Jake Paul and Deji Olatunji.
The British Boxing Board of Control issued a statement ahead of the match distancing itself from the event. “Neither individual is licensed by the BBBofC and the BBBofC does not participate in such events,” it said.
British bookmakers have taken more than 250,000 bets on the fight, according to the Independent.
Both men are likely to make millions from the event between ticket sales, streaming revenue and merchandise. Unlike KSI’s last fight, which was free to watch on YouTube, fans who want to watch online will have to pay £7.50.
Each fighter comes with their own share of controversies. Paul, 23, apologised in January after posting a video showing the body of an apparent suicide victim.
KSI, 25, has previously been accused of trivialising rape and making sexist comments in some of his earlier videos.
The event is set to kick off at 5.30pm, with the main fight at 9pm.
Videos from inside the arena are being strictly monitored. Attendees were sent an email by the ticket sellers Eventim saying anyone caught recording or filming during the event would be asked to delete all footage.