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The online personalities, who boast 20 million
YouTube subscribers each, fought to a draw at Manchester Arena
in August 2018 before setting up a rematch that is expected to
sell out the 21,000-seat Staples Center.
Neither man has much boxing experience but due to their enormous
popularity the California State Athletic Commission sanctioned
the fight, which promoters hope will introduce the sport to a
new demographic.
Boxing purists have said the fight is an over-hyped farce.
Saturday's undercard features leading professional boxers
including Billy Joe Saunders and Devin Haney.
The KSI-Paul fight is scheduled for six rounds and, unlike in
their previous meeting, they will wear lighter gloves and forego
protective headgear.
Briton KSI, 26, is a rapper and gamer who knocked out YouTuber
Joe Weller in February last year. He then called out Logan and
his brother Jake.
"I am a dog, I am a fighter, I always make sure that I defend
what is rightfully mine. This is my legacy," KSI told Paul at
Thursday's news conference.
"I am going to break you. Everything I do will have intent and
you will notice that and you will feel that."
Paul, 24, rose to online fame via short comedy videos but last
year was embroiled in controversy that looked like it could
threaten his career and said he was fighting for "redemption."
The American came under fire for posting a video of an apparent
suicide victim in Japan in early 2018 and making jokes about it.
He later took the video down and apologized.
"This is a personal thing for me. I definitely want to go out
there and secure the victory in violent fashion for my friends,
my family, my fans and everyone who is going to be at the
Staples Center," he said.
"But to be honest KSI just happens to be the guy in the ring for
me. This is the end of a redemption arc that has changed my life
so, for me, the only demon I'm fighting in the ring is myself."
(Editing by Ken Ferris)
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