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KSI v Logan Paul II bigger than Anthony Joshua's bout with Andy Ruiz, states Hearn

KSI's fight with fellow social media influencer Logan Paul was bigger than Anthony Joshua's heavyweight bout with Andy Ruiz Jr, according to Eddie Hearn.

By Patric Ridge
KSI v Logan Paul II bigger than Anthony Joshuas bout?

London, November 13: KSI's fight with fellow social media influencer Logan Paul was bigger than Anthony Joshua's heavyweight bout with Andy Ruiz Jr, according to Eddie Hearn.

Promoter Hearn organised Saturday's fight between YouTubers KSI - real name Olajide Olatunji - and Paul at Los Angeles' Staples Center.

The six-round bout, a rematch following an initial draw at Manchester Arena in 2018, was settled in KSI's favour on a split decision.

Now Hearn has claimed the event had eclipsed former world heavyweight champion Joshua's shock defeat to Ruiz at Madison Square Garden in terms of pay-per-view numbers.

"The first fight did 1.2million pay-per-view buys globally. This was much, much bigger this time around," Hearn told Sirius XM's Fight Nation.

"It's the biggest pay-per-view in the UK of the year so far. That includes the first Joshua-Ruiz Jr fight from America. This fight was cheaper, was half the price of that.

"You don't realise the audience these guys have. They brought our sport to reach new ground and reach new territories, new demographics and new markets."

Saturday's fight was broadcast by Sky Box Office, sports streaming service DAZN and Fite TV.

"I believe DAZN will announce some numbers this week but I understand it was the most-viewed fight on DAZN so far," Matchroom Boxing boss Hearn said. "It was a big subscription driver as well.

"It wasn't just those two key territories, it was all those other little territories. When we look at the breakdown on Fite TV –– Australia, Saudi Arabia, Eastern Europe, Africa –– it was everywhere."

Joshua and Ruiz will have their own rematch in Saudi Arabia on December 7, with the heavyweight belts again on the line.

Story first published: Wednesday, November 13, 2019, 8:23 [IST]
Other articles published on Nov 13, 2019