CSAC Denies Logan Paul Appeal Over Two Point Deduction in KSI Bout
By Robert Brizel, Head Real Combat Media Boxing Correspondent
Los Angeles, CA (December 20th, 2019)– The California State Athletic Commission has denied the appeal of social media star Logan Paul’s two-point deduction in the fourth round of his split decision loss to social media adversary KSI (Olajide William Olatunji).
On November 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, at Staples Center, Paul knocked KSI down in the fourth round, but subsequently got penalized two points by referee Jack Reiss for hitting KSI while he was down on the canvas. Had the deduction been only one point, Paul would have been a six-round split draw.
Referee Zachary Young scored the bout 56-55 for Paul, while referee Lou Moret scored the bout 56-55 for KSI. Moret’s scorecard was the one that affected the outcome of the bout. Referee Pat Russell scored the bout 57-54 for KSI. The appeal overlooks the principle of the entire infraction. Had Logan simply gone as directed to the neutral corner, and not hit his opponent after knocking him down, he won would have won the bout by a split decision 58-55 and 57-56 on two scorecards, while KSI would have won 57-56 on the third scorecard.
KSI was more aggressive on his bout with Paul, but swung and missed wildly and frequently. Paul was more accurate, though not as busy. Still, with the knockdown, Paul had the bout won. Paul was unable to put a check on his emotions, as sometimes happens between athletes. Boxing, like other sports, has rules of the ring. Sometimes these rules vary based on state, jurisdiction, country, and sanctioning bodies. Rules exist for an athlete’s protection. Paul could request a rematch, but he has yet to acknowledge his mistake in judgment.
Once a boxer is down in a professional contest, he has a count of ten seconds to get up without prejudice or impediment from the referee, who will only stop the contest if in the referee’s evaluation and judgment the downed fighter is unable to continue, or should not be allowed to continue. Jack Reiss is one of the best referee’s in the business, and Logan Paul got an education and lesson on ring etiquette and generalship. Paul had a legal basis for an appeal, but not to win the appeal. Paul has not apologized for his behavior. The grudge match was his win or to throw away after the knockout. His choice was his own. The foul was flagrant, not accidental, and thus justified the two-point deduction by referee Reiss.
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