Honor or disgrace? Mayweather will fight Logan Paul in exhibition match
2020 has been a crazy year—but it feels like 2021 could be crazier.
Floyd Mayweather just announced that he will return to the boxing ring next year in an exhibition match with YouTuber Logan Paul.
The match, scheduled for February 20, 2021, will air via pay-per-view.
it’s official @FloydMayweatherhttps://t.co/fFRRaYoUCs pic.twitter.com/0kZhKrQAno
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) December 6, 2020
— Floyd Mayweather (@FloydMayweather) December 6, 2020
Mayweather Jr., a boxer who has won 15 major boxing world titles and a bronze medal during the 1996 Olympics, remains undefeated in boxing, with an unblemished 50-0 record.
Local boxing fans might remember Mayweather for his blockbuster bout with Manny Pacquiao in 2015. The Filipino boxer lost to Mayweather via unanimous decision.
He last stepped in the ring professionally in August 2017, when he fought and won against mixed martial arts champion Conor McGregor.
Paul, meanwhile, is a popular internet celebrity who has fought in amateur matches with fellow internet personality KSI; their two matches ended up with a draw and a win for KSI by split decision. His brother Jake Paul is also an Internet personality who knocked out former NBA player Nate Robinson in a boxing match last Nov. 29.
As one might expect, reaction to the announcement is mixed, with some saying they can’t imagine why Mayweather Jr. agreed to an exhibition match with an amateur with almost no boxing experience.
Logan is gonna win hth
— ¥ (@UtdRukon) December 6, 2020
i cannot imagine a scenario where floyd mayweather loses a fight to logan paul. it's completely unimaginable regardless of the size difference.
— hasanabi (@hasanthehun) December 6, 2020
Some fans labelled the match as a “disgrace” to the sport.
It’s actually a joke and a disgrace to the sport of boxing when people like Logan Paul can get a fight with mayweather based on nothing but social media stats. Actually a disgrace
— DH (@DKHayward_) December 6, 2020
Others, however, consider it the best thing to happen to the sport.
Honestly,
— dave (@Run_DMP) December 7, 2020
Best thing to happen to the sport of boxing. Boxing has been a dead sport for years - what they did to @GGGBoxing TWICE was a disgrace!
At least the Paul brothers are bringing boxing to the spotlight again and fun to watch - like the WWE but real @LoganPaul @jakepaul https://t.co/qiiYxRz5ka
Tickets to the match are currently priced at $24.99; prices will go up as more tickets are sold and the match date gets closer.
(Banner photo screengrab from Mayweather-Paul Fanmio page; thumbnail from The Philippine Star/File)