Floyd Mayweather Jr. will step back into a boxing ring for the first time in just over two years when he faces YouTuber Logan Paul in an eight-round special exhibition match on June 6 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Fla.
It's a fight that nobody necessarily asked for that pits one of the greatest practitioners of the sweet science against an opponent that has lost his only pro fight against another YouTuber. It's more spectacle than anything else as the sheer optics of it suggest that it's a money grab that will prey upon our curiosity more than our interest in seeing a fair fight. But now that we're past the over-the-top antics and a stolen hat, there is still a fight that has to take place where actual punches will be exchanged.
While the vast majority of people rightfully believe that Paul doesn't have a chance, what happens if he's able to shock the world and pull off the massive upset in a bout billed as "Bragging Rights?" Yes, it sounds absurd, but Paul does have a distinct size advantage over Mayweather. He's also 18 years younger at 26, while Mayweather will enter the ring at the ripe old age of 44. Stranger things have happened. Muhammad Ali and Japanese pro wrestling legend Antonio Inoki battled to a draw in their special rules fight 45 years ago.
MORE: What is the purse in the Mayweather vs. Paul fight?
What is Floyd Mayweather's boxing record?
Floyd Mayweather famously was a perfect 50-0 in professional fights. His last pro bout was in 2017 when he defeated Conor McGregor.
Would losing to Paul ruin Mayweather's undefeated record?
No.
It's a simple answer considering that this is an exhibition bout that will have no bearing on either fighter's professional record. Like Mike Tyson and Roy Jones' fight in December, it was fought under special rules with no winner being formally announced. Even if Paul pulls off the unthinkable and catches Mayweather with a punch that puts the greatest defensive boxer of our generation down and out, it won't put a blemish on the pristine record of the man who nicknamed himself "Money."
As for Paul, he'll still be 0-1 even with a surprise KO, but would have "Bragging Rights" that would have a profound effect on the entire boxing industry.
Everything, that is, except Mayweather's record.
What does it mean if Paul beats Mayweather?
Simply put, the sport of boxing would have a massive stain that would take an eternity to cleanse itself from. This isn't Tyson-Jones or even Ali-Inoki. This is an undeniably great boxer whose greatness has been inextricably tied to his undefeated record. With a litany of hall of fame boxers and former world champions who have tasted defeat at the hands of Mayweather, could you imagine how earth-shattering it would be that a professional troll defeated the self-proclaimed "TBE?" That is most certainly damage beyond repair. Not only to Mayweather, but to the sport of boxing. It would blow the doors wide open for other non-boxers to challenge professionals in the most disrespectful way possible because "if Logan Paul could do it, why can't I?"
It would absolutely ruin Mayweather's legacy. But as for his bank account? That would be fine.
What does it mean if Mayweather beats Paul?
Nothing.
It's expected.
Honestly, it just opens the door for Mayweather to challenge Logan's younger brother Jake, who is a better boxer and got under Mayweather's skin for stealing his hat.
And there's a lot of money in that fight. A whole lot. Floyd Mayweather isn't going to mess up getting another bag of cash by playing around with Logan Paul.
There are bigger fish to fry.
