Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao will go down as the greatest boxers of their era. Even if their fight was a stinker, the two remain relevant. So it comes as no surprise that the two have once again been linked to a rematch nearly eight years later. But it comes with a major twist: it will be a… tag team match? This is not fake Boxing news. It might actually happen.
Floyd Mayweather & KSI vs Manny Pacquiao & Salt Papi Misfits Tag Team match is officially in the works 🤯 pic.twitter.com/UQHiW9UyDH
— Happy Punch (@HappyPunchPromo) March 13, 2023
Mayweather-Pacquiao II: The Tag Team
But wait! A tag team match? Yes, Mayweather and Pacquiao will be joined by KSI and Salt Papi as their respective partners in this exhibition bout. The details are yet to be worked out but promoters are apparently “working on it.” As far as “circus fights” go, this may set a standard and it will be wild to see what boxing picks are made from this.
Who are KSI and Salt Papi?
KSI is one of the more prominent YouTube stars to turn into a professional boxer much like the Paul brothers. In fact, he has quite a rivalry with the two and boxed Logan twice: oncee to a draw in 2018 and once he won via a split decision in 2019. Both of their boxing matches drew at least 1.3 million buys on YouTube and DAZN and is a large reason why “celebrity boxing” is now a thing.
As for Salt Papi, the Filipino-Briton just broke into the scene a few months ago when he scored a highlight reel knockout over fellow YouTuber Josh Brueckner. The social media star earned plenty of props for his performance including some from pro boxing stars like Ryan Garcia.
Video: Salt Papi takes Josh Brueckner off his feet with knockout punch at Misfits Boxing 4 https://t.co/SseNgcrAO0 pic.twitter.com/akhYgGPTNm
— MMAFighting.com (@MMAFighting) January 14, 2023
Both KSI and Salt Papi are killing it in the boxing scene and will likely split some boxing predictions when they meet. KSI has knocked out all of his opponents since boxing Logan Paul and could clearly meet a tougher foe. Salt Papi may be that man.
How Would This Proposed Tag Team Match Work?
Working out the logistics of this tag team boxing match is part of the news left to uncover. But seeing as KSI and Salt Papi are much bigger than Mayweather and Pacquiao, there could be nuances to them boxing only each other. Alternatively, it could work like a traditional tag team match where whoever are in the ring boxes each other.
The Types of Tag Team Matches
- Traditional Tag Team Match
This is the tag team match most folks know about. This involves a team, typically of two wrestlers, who “tag” each other in and out of the ring. Only one wrestler (or boxer in this case) is allowed to be in the ring at the same time.
- Mixed Tag Team Match
Like a classic tag team match but involving two different sexes. Female wrestlers only fight each other and vice versa. If a male wrestler tags in his female counterpart, the other is forced to tag theirs in. The Mayweather/KSI vs Pacquiao/Salt Papi match could work like this where Mayweather only boxes Pacquiao and KSI only boxes Salt Papi
- “Tornado” Tag Team Match
Originally called the “Texas Tornado” tag team match, this one involves no tagging at all. Both wrestlers are in the ring and fighting the other two. It can be stipulated that each team’s boxers can box whichever opponent or, for a more organized match, they can only box their respective opponent.
Can You Bet Online on This?
You can bet online on literally anything now (even the odds of an alien invasion). Head to the sportsbook and check if odds are opeoned on this event. But it may be difficult to line considering all the stipulations have to be explicitly stated such as how will a winner be decided?
In the pro wrestling matches, there is usually no time limit so wrestlers go at it until someone loses. But in boxing, there are two-minute or three-minute rounds. So how will the tag team match work?
One idea is to alternate between Mayweather and KSI and Pacquiao and Salt Papi: Mayweather boxes Pacquiao in Rounds 1, 3, 5 etc. while KSI boxes Salt Papi in Rounds 2, 4, 6 etc. And they tally the scores and decide a victor.
Either way, keep checking for any news updates if this tag team match will push through. And expect Las Vegas boxing odds to be released if it becomes official.
