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KSI made Logan Paul a boxing meme-ory with a points win decided, ironically, by a rookie mistake.

The money-grab rematch between the two YouTube sensations, fighting for the respect of their shared 40million fans, was won on a split decision after the American had TWO points deducted for hitting the Brit while he was down in the fourth.

 KSI and Logan Paul finally settled their bitter feud with their professional boxing debut
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KSI and Logan Paul finally settled their bitter feud with their professional boxing debutCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
 KSI let out a roar of emotion when he was pronounced victorious as Paul's dejection was clear to see
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KSI let out a roar of emotion when he was pronounced victorious as Paul's dejection was clear to seeCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA

After weeks of false promises and empty threats, at least the tears at the end were real.

When Watford’s 26-year-old social media star heard the judges scorecards had swung in his favour, he collapsed to the floor crying.

After the six-round slugfest, with blood seeping from his bottom lip, KSI heard the scores of 56-55 and 57-54 for him and 56-55 for Paul and said: “I have that dog in me and I don’t stop, he hit me with illegal shots, it was outrageous.

"But I do not stop. I have shut him up. Your boy is happy, victorious, happy days.

“I need to thank my team Viddal Riley, Leon Wills, Larry Wade, Jeff Mayweather. They've helped me so much. Your boy has done it, I am victorious.

“KSI was scared to fight last time, scared to touch him, this time I went in there. Tonight I just kept going and going.

“Fans saw how much bigger he was, his physique. So I thought screw that! I'm going to work my a*** off."

 KSI started quickly and came out swinging but failed to land many of his hooks
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KSI started quickly and came out swinging but failed to land many of his hooksCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA

Paul had claimed to have been KOing undefeated professional fighters in his sparring sessions but he could only really hurt KSI when he was prostrate on all fours in the fourth.

After shipping a couple of short shots, KSI was pushed down to the canvas and Jack Reiss intervened but not before Paul look another swing to the back of KSI’s head.

Both men proved they have no place in professional boxing, no matter how much money and passing interest they can muster.

Paul told the world all week that he was going on to become the heavyweight champion of the world, it's comments like that left real boxers and purists so sick of the spectacle.

Eventually a novice mistake from a boxing debutant cost Paul big time.

After doing the sums, he said: “Fair play to JJ – you are one of the toughest people I know, you deserve everything you have.

“I wish you the best. You had my respect before the fight, you are one of the toughest people I know. I don't like talking trash, it was all for show, it was all to sell the fight. I have nothing but respect.

“I was more calm this year and spent more time practising boxing, we worked on my conditioning, that was why I was better than the first fight.

“I think the two-point deduction was harsh, I am not happy with the commission about that, I think if you do the math that cost me the fight.”

On bouncing back after being knocked down, KSI said: “It took me a minute or two to figure out how I was, I came back at it and kept going. That's boxing, man. I don't want people to think he's weak, he can't take punches.

“I've never worked so hard, in the ring and in camp. I was ready and I was on fire. He couldn't deal with my jabs. He kept moving but I got him.”

And to Logan Paul, he said: “It takes a big man to get in the ring, you're a big man.

“You made me work today and last year. Thank you for a good fight.”

 The American was docked two points for an illegal move which proved crucial as he lost via split decision
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The American was docked two points for an illegal move which proved crucial as he lost via split decisionCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
 KSI went down with a slip but recovered to keep battling away and entertain the fans
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KSI went down with a slip but recovered to keep battling away and entertain the fansCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA

And when quizzed whether there could be a trilogy, KSI said: “This is done, he can go and do MMA.”

As Logan Paul vowed: “You'll see me in the squared circle again, I'll be back!”

KSI was bar far the more aggressive fighter and should have snatched the opening two rounds away. Even though most of his shots were wild, he was at least throwing them while Paul, 24, was on the back foot despite being much bigger.

The turning point was the fourth and with Paul deducted two points it was baffling to hear he was handed a 56-55 win by Zachary Young that thankfully proved irrelevant.

The action was entertaining and it will be back, boxing has opened the door to more money and they are not in the business of turning cash away, no matter how grubby.

But the next set of contenders can save their boasts and bravado.

This is cheap exhibition boxing to settle silly grudges between rich people who have the time to train like professional athletes.

Hopefully the cost to real boxing, in the long-term, is not too great.

Both fighters were guaranteed to earn £700,000 but are likely to bag far more than that once they split the money generated from ticket sales, PPV purchases and DAZN subscriptions 50-50.

Earlier in the night, Billy Joe Saunders retained his WBO super-middleweight title on his US debut with a strong enough performance over Marcelo Esteban Coceres.

Saunders was booed and admitted it was not the greatest performance but took him another step towards a showdown with Canelo Alvarez.

Devin Haney extended his pro record to 24-0 as the 20-year-old beat Alfredo Santiago to retain his WBC lightweight crown for the first time.

 Paul was penalised after landing a brilliant uppercut because he held KSI's head when punching
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Paul was penalised after landing a brilliant uppercut because he held KSI's head when punchingCredit: Sky Sports
 KSI broke down in tears when the decision was announced as the hard work paid off
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KSI broke down in tears when the decision was announced as the hard work paid offCredit: Sky Sports

The fight went the distance but all three judges voted it 120-107 to the exciting young American.

But arguably Josh Brueckner secured the biggest personal victory of the night.

He had just beaten Tyler Smith on his professional boxing debut and then got down on one knee to propose to his girlfriend Katie Betzing, who fortunately said yes.

 KSI came out wearing a Deontay Wilder-esque mask as he looked confident on his ring walk
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KSI came out wearing a Deontay Wilder-esque mask as he looked confident on his ring walkCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
 An impersonator of British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran was in the crowd at the Staples Center to see the pair go head-to-head in the ring
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An impersonator of British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran was in the crowd at the Staples Center to see the pair go head-to-head in the ringCredit: Melina Pizano/Matchroom Boxing USA
 Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer introduced the two stars to the crowd
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Legendary ring announcer Michael Buffer introduced the two stars to the crowdCredit: Sky Sports
 Billy Joe Saunders made a successful debut in the US and took a step towards a bout with Canelo Alvarez
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Billy Joe Saunders made a successful debut in the US and took a step towards a bout with Canelo AlvarezCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Devin Haney beat Alfredo Santiago comfortable to take his pro record to 24-0 aged 20
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Devin Haney beat Alfredo Santiago comfortable to take his pro record to 24-0 aged 20Credit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
 YouTuber Josh Breuckner proposed to his girlfriend Katie Betzing in the ring to claim a personal victory after his boxing win
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YouTuber Josh Breuckner proposed to his girlfriend Katie Betzing in the ring to claim a personal victory after his boxing winCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom Boxing USA
Billy Joe Saunders vs Marcelo Cóceres: Round by round
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