Video sparks ugly conspiracy about Floyd Mayweather-Logan Paul fight
Social media sleuths think they've spotted the moment Floyd Mayweather stopped Logan Paul from falling on his face in an attempt to prolong their farcical boxing bout on Sunday.
Mayweather and YouTube star Paul fought to a draw in an eight-round exhibition fight in Miami that left boxing purists seething.
'WHAT A MESS': Farcical scenes rock Mayweather-Logan Paul bout
'WILD': Video reveals $750 seats for Mayweather-Logan Paul farce
With no judges in attendance and no points awarded, the only way one man was going to win the fight was via knockout.
And social media users think they've identified the moment that shows the fight was always intended to finish in a draw.
Mayweather landed a big right hand to Paul's head during the fifth round, which seemed to stun the YouTube star.
Video that has gone viral on social media then appears to show Paul slump into Mayweather's arms as if he was heading for the canvas.
But many think Mayweather then holds Paul up so he doesn't fall in an attempt to ensure the fight didn't finish in a knockout.
“The moment you realise Floyd Mayweather probably laid a slew of bets that this fight would go the distance," TV presenter Sid Seixeiro tweeted.
Wrestler Allysin Kay wrote: “Everything is pro wrestling.”
Musician Benton Blount tweeted: “Seems fans of both Floyd Mayweather & Logan Paul who feel that either won the fight failed to see the moment when Floyd literally knocked out Paul then held him up to help him finish the fight. Why are you arguing about a fight that was predetermined?”
While Dan Barker said: “Does Floyd remember here he wasn’t supposed to knock him down?”
Considering Mayweather's unblemished 50-0 record in professional boxing, fans were left gobsmacked that he couldn't knock out the social media sensation with next-to-no boxing experience.
Both men reportedly shared about $150 million as a result of the fight.
Floyd Mayweather finished with boxing
Mayweather claimed afterwards this could be his final appearance, saying: "I wanted to give people a show and he was fighting to survive.
"This was like a training session, really. Just going the distance was a win for him. He can grapple and was good at holding.
"When a guy that size is holding you, it's hard to get him off you. If they are happy with grappling and holding for eight rounds, that's good for them.
"I had fun, he did too. It was cool. When the money comes, we will see who the winner is.
"Will I make a comeback? Absolutely not. I have retired from the sport of boxing. I probably won't do an exhibition again either."
Paul enjoyed some moderate success but his opponent's experience and boxing know-how was too much.
The YouTuber said he enjoyed being in the ring with one of the best of all time, even if he was on the wrong end of too many heavy shots.
"He was slower than I thought, father time is catching up with him perhaps," said Paul.
"I knew if it went the distance I won technically but I hit him with a good shot in the first round but surviving against Floyd Mayweather is something and I am happy."
The whole thing is pathetic. Some boxers a few levels below mayweather will work their entire life and not make much in a year as that tosspot youtuber made in 1 night. It’s a disgrace to the sport and people’s intelligence in general.
— ricflairandy (@andyricflair) June 7, 2021
Mayweather v Paul was a disgrace for the world of boxing. @ufc will always be the 🐝s knees
— lewis wintersgill (@wintersgill02) June 7, 2021
knocking out logan paul was the only way to make this disgrace of a fight palatable
ppl are fans of mayweather because of his skill but he wasnt even willing to use 1% of his skill and he let a novice go 8 rounds with him, so why be a fan anymore?— Sean W (@tehseanw) June 7, 2021
The Logan Paul vs Floyd Mayweather exhibition showdown was a joke. You can tell this was totally about money and entertainment. You can’t just let people box just because they have money. It’s a disgrace to the sport. @JSCasting pic.twitter.com/wrGJqnCJgr
— angellight (@angellight) June 7, 2021
I think the Mayweather vs Logan fight was a disgrace to boxing. It’s definitely a dying sport.
— Ruuu Rios ☆彡 (@Fa5_Rios) June 7, 2021
with AFP
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
