KSI vs Logan Paul - LIVE: Latest updates on YouTube stars' fight as main event gets underway in Manchester

They’re two of the most beloved – and most hated – YouTubers in the world, and this evening they clash in a boxing match that is being watched by hundreds of thousands on a paid-for live stream in countries across the globe.

Olajide “KSI” Olatunji, a British YouTuber with 19 million subscribers takes on controversial American YouTuber Logan Paul in a match that has been six months in the making.

The pair have argued over social media in the run-up to the event, and held press conferences in London and Los Angeles, but tonight’s fight takes place within the confines of Manchester Arena.

:: Chris Stokel-Walker (CSW) reporting live from the MEN Arena and Adam Hamdani (AH) following all the online reaction

Live Updates

New updates availableRefresh

21:57

Every punch is lapped up by the baying crowd here - and sustained Logan chants for the first time tonight. (CSW)

21:56

Logan Paul absolutely dominates the first round. His reach and size advantage is absolutely clear right now. KSI needs to somehow use his speed and experience to his advantage. 10-9 round to Logan. (AH)

21:54

We have lift off. (AH)

 

KSI vs Logan Paul gets underway

 

21:53

The chants are coming over one another in waves inside the arena here and the ringside security staff are having to tell people to sit down. (CSW)

21:52

I think Logan might edge it. (CSW)

21:51

My last minute prediction: KSI to win. I have no idea how. (AH)

21:50

KSI's long-term friend wroetoshaw gives his prediction. (AH)

 

21:48

Michael Buffer giving it the full spiel here and the crowd love it. (CSW)

21:48

KSI makes his way to the ring... moments to go. (AH)

 

KSI makes his way to the ring

 

21:43

Oof. (AH)

 

21:42

Logan Paul is on his way in. Suddenly, everything is very, very tense. (AH)

 

Logan Paul makes ring entrance

 

21:38

Very big boos for the sight of Logan Paul on the big screen here in Manchester. (CSW)

21:38

It's ring walk time!

 

First up, Logan Paul. (AH)

21:32

The main event is nigh: KSI versus Logan Paul.

 

The build-up to this bout can seem like another world to the uninitiated.

 

In the half year since KSI challenged Paul to a boxing there have been dustups and diss tracks (foul-mouthed songs and music videos produced especially for the fight by either participant, denigrating their opponent - if you don't know, don't bother asking).

 

Paul’s 54-year-old father, Greg, was even punched in the face by an unknown assailant outside a July press conference in London to promote tonight’s fight.

 

This isn’t just a night of entertainment: for some, it’s a chance to cash in. £100,000 of bets were taken on KSI’s previous match against Joe Weller back in February, and according to Ladbrokes’s Alex Apati, “this is going to be bigger than the KSI vs Joe Weller fight – by some distance.”

 

It’s also bigger betting market than equivalent mainstream boxing matches. Last weekend Olympic boxer Paddy Barnes fought Cristofer Rosales in a world title fight. “By the time [Paul and KSI] enter the ring, we’re predicting 14 times more bets to be taken on this than the Barnes versus Rosales clash,” says Apati.

 

Two weeks before the bout, Ladbrokes recorded a £1,000 bet on Paul, then the outsider, winning. For context, he started off as a 2/1 shot.

 

For a while, that bet was an outlier – but the markets have closed and Paul overtook KSI early on Thursday morning as the favourite.

 

We've already explained the oddity of some of you out there placing real money bets on the outcome of the fight, but the betting patterns can actually tell us something interesting about each main event fighter's respective fanbases.

 

Three in every four bets received by Ladbrokes are for a KSI victory, they've shared with The Independent exclusively. But they're all small stakes.

 

The quarter of bets favouring Logan Paul have been bigger stakes, swaying the odds in his favour. (CSW)

21:23

The main event is almost upon us.

 

Watch the ultimate KSI vs Logan Paul trailer to get you *even more* excited

 

21:22

According to commentator the True Geordie, the belt for the main event has gone missing...

 

Smooth, guys. (AH)

21:16

"I feel amazing, I worked so hard for this. Deji fought an amazing fight, I respect him. I hope he learned a lesson about the things he said. Much respect to him - no hard feelings."

 

The first words from Jake Paul after his victory. (AH)

 

Jake Paul has his arm raised after victory against Deji

 

21:15

Aaaaaand the king of merch announces his new clothing line in his post-match interview. We won't repeat the URL here. (CSW)

21:11

As Adam says, Deji may have lost £50,000, but he's gained a lot of respect. (CSW)

21:11

THE FIGHT IS OVER! 

 

Deji's team throw the towel into the ring and Jake Paul is declared the winner, with his power and ultimately, his fitness, proving far too much for his opponent who showed plenty of heart. A fifth round stoppage. (AH)

Next

Please allow a moment for the live blog to load...

The match is the second bout for KSI, who defeated Joe Weller in front of a 7,000-strong sellout in London’s Copper Box Arena back in February.

Fans not able to make it to Manchester for tonight’s fight have to pay £7.50 ($10) for the privilege of watching a live stream of the action.

More than a quarter of a million pounds of bets on the outcome of the event have been taken by British bookmakers, The Independent can exclusively reveal – and the number’s still rising.

“We were blown away by the numbers we saw after KSI's last fight, but that pales in significance in truth, with interest from a betting perspective likely to hit £300,000 by close of play on Saturday night,” said Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati.

Join Adam Hamdani in London and Chris Stokel-Walker live from Manchester Arena for every jab, hook and diss track as we put this new media monstrosity in context.