KSI vs Logan Paul: Battle of YouTube stars ends in draw – as it happened

We bring you every jab, hook and diss track, while attempting to put this new media monstrosity in context...

KSI vs Logan Paul weigh in

In front of 18,000 fans at the Manchester Arena, YouTube stars KSI and Logan Paul shared the spoils after six rounds of tense white-collar boxing.

While many may pour scorn on a matchup between two amateurs, more than 800,000 streamed the event, billed as the “biggest event in internet history”, at its peak.

At least a half a million more watched on illegal streams, despite the attempts of the organisers to quash them.

The match was 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 the fight had to pay £7.50 ($10) for the privilege of watching a live stream of the action.

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

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

More than a quarter of a million pounds of bets on the outcome of the event had been taken by British bookmakers by Saturday afternoon, The Independent can exclusively reveal.

“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.

Key Points

• How to watch the fight
• How did we get here?
• Trash talking commences
• Rematch talks already

[25 August 2018 11:02 · Lizzie Dearden]

It’s the biggest Brit versus American boxing match since Mohammed Ali took on Henry Cooper. Possibly.

Tonight, YouTube vloggers KSI and Logan Paul will take their online beef into the ring for a fight billed as "the biggest event in internet history". Yes, even bigger than that Kim Kardashian photo.

And The Independent be there all the way.

Chris Stokel-Walker will be reporting on every hook and diss live from the Manchester Evening News Arena, while Adam Hamdani will follow the online action and reaction.

[25 August 2018 11:14 · Lizzie Dearden]

The war of words between the pair has been cranking up in recent days – as, indeed, is probably insisted in the contract.

But both fighters have been taking a moment to reflect in the last 24 hours.

Asked whether he was still trying to redeem himself after he filmed the body of a suicide victim in January, Logan Paul told the BBC: “I don't think this is the redemption. I think it may mark a part of it, but by no means is this fight a redemption for my mistake.

"But I think it is an opportunity to for me to have taken a step back from the internet and focus my efforts elsewhere, and it's an opportunity for me to show the world a new version of Logan Paul – not just silly internet vlog boy."

KSI, meanwhile – whose past videos have been described as sexist and misogynistic – said: “I definitely have regrets for some of the things I've said and done, but you know, I'm a human being and human beings make mistakes.

"Because it's me, it's showcased all over the internet, but that's just how it is."

[25 August 2018 11:40 · Lizzie Dearden]

One fight between the two social media stars not enough for you? Reports suggest a rematch is already being planned.

And while KSI – real name Olajide Olatunji – will have the home advantage during tonight’s fight in Manchester, a second scrap is likely to be held in the US, possibly Las Vegas.

Paul initially suggested a one-off match but it seems a two-fight deal was thrashed out.

The wise money may be on a win each, leading to a third (money-spinning) fight at a neutral venue, possibly in mega-rich Dubai.

[25 August 2018 12:41 · Lizzie Dearden]

With hours until the action gets underway, today's trash talk has long commenced...

[25 August 2018 12:41 · Lizzie Dearden]

[25 August 2018 12:43 · Lizzie Dearden]

Logan Paul's Twitter feed, however, remains dormant so far today. What can we read into this? Almost certainly nothing, although presumably that won't stop the two "fighters" respective fans speculating.

[25 August 2018 12:46 · Lizzie Dearden]

But how did we get today? This piece explains all: 

[25 August 2018 12:57 · stokel]

For those of you following along with our live blog, you'll need the all important timings for today's event.

The bouts begin at 5:30pm, and will start every half hour. Here's the full line-up:

• 5:30pm: Call me Ham versus Jrizzy Jeremy
• 6pm: MOMO versus RossiHD
• 6:30pm: Coach Richard versus JMX
• 7pm: FaZe Sensei versus overtflow
• 7:30pm: Rackaracka versus Scarce
• 8pm: AnEsonGib versus Jay Swingler
• 8:30pm: ComedyShortsGamers versus Jake Paul
• 9pm: KSI versus Logan Paul

Make sure to check in with our live blog throughout the afternoon and evening.

[25 August 2018 13:32 · Lizzie Dearden]

[25 August 2018 14:07 · Adam Hamdani]

Ahead of the main event, who's the current favourite?

According to Oddschecker, 48% of bets have been placed on KSI to win while 45% have been placed on his rival Logan Paul.

However, it's the American who is the slight favourite to win the bout at 8/11 on.