The stage is set for the exhibition boxing match that will pit the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr. against newbie boxer Logan Paul. While many experts criticized the fight as an epic mismatch, Mayweather insisted the show will attract millions of boxing fans and will break his previous pay-per-view (PPV) records.
Specifically, the five-division world champion is gunning to surpass the PPV numbers registered when he faced off with Manny Pacquiao in 2015. That showdown generated a worldwide PPV of 5.7 million with the bulk of those hooked on their television estimated at 4.6 million in the United States.
Mayweather said he expects his exhibition fight with a YouTube star to register PPV figures, explaining that the clash with Paul will serve as a blockbuster entertainment treat.
"This is going to be a great night for the fans worldwide due to us bringing something special to them through sports and entertainment," World Boxing News reported the American as saying.
He added that a fight with a popular celebrity is nothing new to him and reminded that he did engage in similar exhibitions in the past to give boxing fans what they wanted. Mayweather pointed out that meeting Paul on the boxing ring presented an opportunity that is hard to pass up.
Indeed, the 43-year-old boxing legend proved a willing participant to boxing matches that saw him fighting unlikely opponents. Mayweather has been in retirement for most of the past years but he agreed to give UFC superstar Conor McGregor a shot at him on the boxing ring and a Japanese kickboxer too.
On both occasions, he came out the winner and the best thing was, he added more millions to his already swelling bank account. The money-spinner with Paul is nothing different. The YouTube celebrity has millions of followers and him fighting with a boxing champion that boasts of an unblemished professional record will indeed generate interest.
And the big money that Mayweather is hoping to pocket when he climbs back to on top of the ring. Pundits said the American will not even break a sweat for the February 20 exhibition match.
UFC president Dana White said the Mayweather vs. Paul is the strongest argument that boxing as it stands now is in a sorry state. Per Talk Sport, White added that it saddened him that one of the best boxers that the world has ever seen will consider fighting with a boxing novice.
Paul's only boxing history was another exhibition with fellow YouTuber KSI and the former suffered a convincing defeat in that fight. The UFC chief said it is insane that the same kid will be brought on the ring to duke it out with a monster such as Mayweather.
