KSI vs Logan Paul: Anthony Joshua gives his verdict on rematch between YouTube stars

The pair whip their headguards off and meet in the professional ranks

Heavyweight contender Anthony Joshua believes that the fight between KSI and Logan Paul is “sick”.

The 30-year-old is currently on a three-day media tour of Saudi Arabia, New York and London ahead of his highly anticipated rematch with Andy Ruiz Jr.

The former unified champion of the word lost his belts to Ruiz on 1 June at Madison Square Garden in one of the biggest shocks of the sport in recent memory and is looking to get back to winning ways.

The bout between KSI and Paul will be the pair’s first in the professional ranks, promoted by Joshua’s team in Eddie Hearn and Matchroom Boxing USA but the show has come under some criticism.

Joshua, however, has a more positive look on the occasion.

“I think it’s sick.

“He could have promoted it from a point of view that’s non-boxing, but getting their licenses, no head guards, rounds of boxing.

“What people have to realise is, you have to put all eyes on boxing for us all to thrive.

“So KSI and Logan Paul have a bigger following than me and most of the heavyweights combined.”

Ruiz Jr lands on Joshua on his way to a stunning victory (Action Images)

The Independent recently learned that both Devin Haney and Billy Joe Saunders are to feature on the undercard – and Joshua believes that the matchup between the two YouTube stars will attract plenty of eyes to the sport.

“If all those eyes are now going to watch me and watch my competitors and watch the sport of boxing, it’s going to rise.

“I’ll always say I’m for it, so good luck to both of them, I hope they take it seriously because they can earn some respect here.

“People look at them as a joke now, and they doubt them, but if they take it serious and they put on a good performance people might scratch their head and say, ‘Hang on a minute, this weren’t such a bad idea’.

“You never know, YouTubers or this sort of event might happen more often.”

KSI vs Logan Paul is on 9 November at Staples Centre in Los Angeles, California.