Social media was buzzing with reactions on Sunday night (June 6) as fans watched the highly anticipated boxing exhibition between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Logan Paul. Many boxing fans tuned into the fight believing that undefeated champ Mayweather would knock out the 26-year-old YouTube star early in the night, but were instead surprised to see Paul go the distance.
“Hats off to Logan Paul. He went eight rounds with [the] greatest boxer ever,” one viewer wrote. “Not a good look for Floyd.”
Since there were no judges attending the exhibition, fans had to decide who unofficially won the match for themselves. Many fans and reporters noted that Mayweather, as expected, was the better fighter, but Paul successfully wielded his height and weight advantages. However, the controversial social media star was visibly tired out later in the match.
On Twitter, many fans were upset that the fight didn’t end with a definitive knockout.
“Mayweather will win this. Technically. Via decision,” ESPN reporter Ariel Helwani tweeted. “But if you ask me, he lost. You’re one of the greatest ever. Play around for a couple rounds and then pour it on. He didn’t. He let Logan hang around.”
Others thought Mayweather nearly did knock Paul out, but eased off so that the match could continue.
“4k footage of Floyd Mayweather knocking out Logan Paul and saying ‘Oh shit, this wasn’t part of the script,’” one fan tweeted.
Others still flooded the timeline with jokes and memes.
After the fight, Paul clearly felt victorious just for going the distance against Mayweather.
“I don’t want anyone to tell me anything is impossible ever again,” he said. “The fact that I’m in here with one of the greatest boxers of all time proves the odds can be beat.”
At a post-match press conference, Mayweather admitted, “He’s better than I thought he was.”
“I had fun,” he added. “You’ve got to realize, I’m not 21 anymore but it’s good to move around with these guys.”
See reactions to the exhibition on Twitter below.