What’s up With YouTubers Boxing Each Other?

When you think of the word “YouTuber,” the obvious inference is “video creator.” However, what happens when professional vloggers decide to risk it all and step into the boxing ring? Jake Paul, KSI, Joe Weller, and many others prove that influencers aren’t confined to one facet of entertainment.   

The trend first emerged when JJ Olatunji (commonly known as “KSI”) called out fellow internet personality Joe Weller. Upon seeing a video in which Joe won an amateur 3-round fight against one of his friends, KSI commented, “Lemme fight the winner, haha.” 2 weeks later, the bout was set for Feb. 3, 2018. Totaling 21 million views within the first day of release, KSI dominated Joe, earning a 3rd round technical knockout (TKO). 

From there, the idea took off. The prospect of watching seemingly untrained celebrities beat each other to a pulp was one that excited the population. Calling out the Paul brothers, KSI and younger brother Deji geared up for a family vs. family duel. With Jake matching up against Deji, and Logan fighting KSI, the spectacle drew 2.25 million live viewers. LeBron’s Lakers attracted 2.9 million viewers in the first game of the exciting NBA restart for context. While Jake defeated Deji after five rounds of action-packed fighting, KSI and Logan ended up with a draw, leaving the audience dismayed. 

Such a buildup obviously couldn’t be left unresolved, so the stage was set for KSI vs. Logan Paul 2. Unlike their first bout, the pair decided to shed their headgear and go pro for a non-protected boxing fight. With a buildup full of controversial press conferences, frequent social media callouts, and overall shenanigans that resembled the personality of Conor McGregor, the fight became a hot topic of conversation. The clashes were heated, with a lot of profanities being thrown, and a lot of mockeries. 

At the press conference, Logan mocked KSI’se family life, stating, “Your brother doesn’t like you, where’s Deji? Where the f*** Is Deji at? Where’s your family? Last time I remember, you were hitting your mom on Christmas, and you got kicked out of the house for that” (about likely untrue rumors that KSI abused his mother). KSI did his fair share of talking as well, turning the crowd against the Pauls (ending with a unified chant of “F*** the Pauls”), mocking his deceased dog (a jab that most view as unprofessional and crude), and making fun of his family. 

On November 9th, the event broke the internet. After months of trash talk, KSI clinched a too controversial split decision victory in a bout that sold Madison Square garden. Since there were two points taken on a couple of illegal blows from Paul, the decision was razor-thin. Paul would file an appeal (because he never received a warning before the points were taken, as boxers often get), but it would be denied in December of 2019. When asked about a potential boxing rematch with Logan, KSI denied, noting that it was “done,” and he was “on to the next thing.”

Recently, a new test has arisen for the Paul family. Shortly after his 1st round TKO against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib, it was announced that Jake is set to take on Nate Robinson (yes, THAT Nate Robinson) on November 28, 2020. If you had previously told me that the vlogger Jake Paul would end up in a formal boxing match with former NBA player Nate Robinson, I would’ve called you crazy. In a card headlined by Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr (yup, this is actually happening), it’ll surely go down as one of the most influential days in boxing history. 

So, why have internet celebrities beaten each other up for our viewing pleasure become such a fun thing to watch? Honesty? I don’t know. Maybe it’s the prospect of your favorite vlogger boxing up your least favorite creator or the fact that internet personalities make for the funniest fight buildup. One thing’s for sure. It’s incredibly entertaining.