There have been celebrity YouTube fights in boxing, MMA stars who have competed in pro wrestling, and vice versa. Logan Paul, a key figure in the success of YouTuber’s boxing, is entering a different form of entertainment.
Paul and Arnold Schwarzenegger have teamed up to create the Slap Fighting Championship. The first event will take place on March 5 in Columbus, Ohio, during Schwarzenegger’s Sports Festival. Main eventing the event will be Dawid “Zales” Zalewski (16-0) vs. Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes (9-0) for the Slap Fighting Championship Super Heavyweight World Championship.
“The Arnold Sports Festival is all about inspiring our fans to chase their dreams and find the sport that starts their fitness journey,” said Schwarzenegger. “I can’t wait to showcase the best slap fighters in the world on the main stage at our event and I’m so excited to introduce this wild sport to our fans with Logan.”
A former Mr. Universe winner, Schwarzenegger is known for acting in some of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters. His most known roles include The Terminator, Conan the Barbarian, Predator, True Lies, Total Recall, Kindergarten Cop, and The Running Man. Born in Austria, Schwarzenegger was the elected the 38th Governor of the State of California in 2003.
Paul, a YouTuber and actor, fought KSI back in 2019 in a boxing bout. His last fight was an exhibition against Floyd Mayweather in June.
Sporting News has all the information you need to know regarding the Slap Fighting Championship.
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What is the Slap Fighting Championship?
The Slap Fighting Championship involves competitors from YouTube and social media who have regularly competed in slap fighting. One of the most well-known organizations, PunchDown, was looking to collaborate with Schwarzenegger for an event. It ended up becoming a reality.
The rules for the event (per SlapStrike) involve three judges scoring the fight, with a knockout determining the winner. A winner is decided if a competitor can continue after 30 seconds of being slapped. There will be three rounds with one slap per competitor.
"I know we're going to have a great time watching the slap competition as long as we don't get slapped," Schwarzenegger told USA Today.
"I love the absurdity of it. I love the idea that two guys could just stand across from each other and just slap each other and see who falls down first," Paul stated to USA Today. "It's hilarious to me. It's like, how is that a real event? What the f--- is that sport?"
When does the Slap Fighting Championship take place?
The Slap Fighting Championship takes place on Saturday, March 5 at the Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio. Per a release, the championship event will last from 2 p.m. ET to 5 p.m. ET.
How to watch the Slap Fighting Championship
The Slap Fighting Championship event is available through Fanmio, Logan Paul’s YouTube channel, and Paul’s Facebook Live page.
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Are Arnold Schwarzenegger and Logan Paul competing in the Slap Fighting Championship?
As of now, Schwarzenegger and Paul will not be participating in the Slap Fighting Championship. Stay tuned, as Sporting News will be providing more information if that changes.
Slap Fighting Championship fight card
- Dawid “Zales” Zalewski vs. Koa “Da Crazy Hawaiian” Viernes for the Slap Fighting Championship super heavyweight world championship
- Maksymilian Leeniak vs. Nikolas Toth
- Pater Truchlik vs. Karol Wyłupek
- Jakub Dudczyk vs. Piotr Hawryluk
- Mateusz Kazmierczak vs. Michał Kucinski
- Adrianna Sledz vs. Julia Kruzer