Floyd Mayweather vs Logan Paul: When is it, who is favourite and can Paul win?

In what will prove to be the strangest sporting event in 2021, former five-division king Floyd Mayweather collides against Logan Paul on June 6.

It's the crossover fight the world has craved, according to Showtime.

Mayweather, 44, has not fought since his 2018 demolition of Tenshin Nasukawa. "Money" returns to the ring to face social media superstar Paul, who has more than 40 million subscribers on YouTube.

The Hard Rock Stadium, Florida, will play host to the six-round exhibition event.

Mayweather last fought as a professional in 2017, defeating UFC king Conor McGregor to surpass Rocky Marciano's 49-0 record.

He will give up several inches, and potentially 30 pounds (or more) in weight against his 26-year-old novice opponent with a 0-1 professional record.

Following the fight announcement, Paul's fellow boxing brother and protagonist in-chief Jake Paul clashed with Mayweather in a heated/juvenile confrontation.

It resulted in the younger Paul brother comically absconding with Mayweather's cap, in a moment that genuinely captured the splendorous farce of the event.

Enraged, or simply playing the WWE bad guy, Mayweather and his enormous entourage seemed genuinely upset by the revelation of Floyd's newly discovered patch of hair.

While the moment seemed largely staged, it could well aid in the sale of pay-per-view tickets.

Yes, in 2021, people really will pay to see a middle aged, retired boxer fight a novice with a big mouth...

It is easy to scoff at this so-called boxing event, the oft-repeated upside is the increased attention that boxing receives.

The question is, how much of this attention is actually valuable or beneficial to the credibility of the sport?.

Still, despite his critics, Mayweather remains a powerful force in a sport where he has not had a meaningful contest in over six years.

Set to earn a remarkable $75million for 18 minutes of work, no one could deny the astuteness of Floyd's business acumen.

In announcing the bout, Mayweather offered up a typically gracious and humble explanation for his decision to return to the ring to face the YouTube star.

"These YouTube girls better find some Barbie dolls to play with cause I'm not the one for the kid games," Mayweather said.

"Three years ago, a fighter from the UFC said my name and I had to put a muzzle on that bitch. Logan Paul can get the same treatment before I go conquer Japan again."

Paul, no stranger to verbal sparring himself, relentlessly taunted a seemingly agitated Mayweather during the heated press event staged this month, countering with several barbed volleys.

"I don't need Floyd, Floyd needs me. Floyd came out, out of retirement, just to get re-retired.

"I think you bit off more than you can chew, Floyd. Your clothes are big on you. Pipsqueak. This is the guy? This is the guy?"

Indeed. Mayweather will be facing a far younger and much bigger opponent with a proposed 30 pounds gap suggested for the bout. A limit of 160 pounds is expected for Mayweather compared to 190 pounds for Paul.

Following the announcement of the bout, Adam Smith, Head of Boxing Development for Sky Sports, confirmed his network's decision to broadcast the fight to a British audience.

"We're hugely excited to be showing Floyd Mayweather's blockbuster exhibition bout with Logan Paul on Sky Sports Box Office.

"We've covered many of Mayweather's sensational victories over the years, including that fascinating clash with Conor McGregor, and we cannot wait to welcome back a boxing legend who always guarantees showmanship and razor-sharp skills.

"Of course, we know Logan Paul well too, having showcased his hugely entertaining YouTube grudge fight with KSI, and he'll be determined to emerge with his reputation intact from a daunting challenge against the majestic Floyd Mayweather."

A pay-per-view event in the UK?

Josh Taylor, an unbeaten, double world-champion from our own shores will be fighting for the undisputed 140 pound crown this coming weekend.

The bout that will NOT be broadcast live on any of the UK's major TV networks.

Fortunately, Sky has ensured that you won´t miss a moment of this, apparently more important fighting spectacle.

Mayweather vs Paul is scheduled for June 6, with the PPV event kicking off at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT (1 a.m. BST).

It will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Mayweather and Paul are expected to make their ring walks (perhaps the most entertaining moment of the evening) at around 5 a.m. BST.

This event will be screened live on Sky Sports Box Office in the UK and Ireland with a price yet to be confirmed.

US fight fans can order the PPV event on Showtime PPV (US), while others outside of America can watch it through Fanmio.

Bragging rights. Not much else. This bout will not count as part of Mayweather's boxing record, irrespective of the final outcome.

A Floyd win would likely set up part two with loudmouth number two, Jake Paul. Sigh.

There can be little doubt that this event will capture plenty of attention in the weeks running up to the "fight".

Despite the absurd disparity in boxing experience, fans will pay to watch, and wonder, as to whether an actual fight could break out.

In what is surely a clash of heel vs heel, bad guy vs bad guy, one wonders what would be the more satisfying outcome?

The loud-mouthed, braggadocious Paul being taught a lesson for his perceived besmirchment of this fine sport?

Or the unbeaten Mayweather, finally tasting a defeat, albeit in a bout that will not count as part of his unblighted 50-0 record?

Either way, early betting odds have Floyd as an overwhelming odds on favourite as short as 1/20.

Paul is available at 8/1, while other markets have not yet been made available.

Given the circus-like type feel of this event, it is quite conceivable that Floyd could spend the six rounds dancing and counter-punching his way to a points victory.

It's hard to see either fighter scoring a knock-out with both men potentially agreeing to a pre-determined outcome before they set foot inside the ring.

In an event that feels more WWE than WBC, anything is possible but a wager on this contest going the distance, looks likely to offer some betting value.