Floyd Mayweather Jr, 44, may have The Money Team (a lifestyle brand he created), but it was Logan Paul, 26, who brought the bling on Sunday.
The YouTube star wore a rare shiny Charizard Pokemon card around his neck like a medallion as he entered the ring for his exhibition fight against Mayweather. Turns out there was more to it than just for show.
It’s actually a first-edition, gem mint 10-graded Charizard card that has significantly increased in value since Paul acquired it for $150,000 last year. The card caught the eye of several spectators after a video was uploaded onto Twitter showing his walk out.
After the fight, Paul explained why he decided to showcase the card ahead of the bout.
"It's a BGS 10 Charizard, first edition Charizard. It's one of three in the world. It is my prized possession. Ever since I got this graded at a 10, the momentum in my life has been crazy. It's my good luck charm," he commented. "This is the card I walked out [with] to the Floyd Mayweather fight. This is a million-dollar card."
Over the past few years, the resale value of Pokemon cards has skyrocketed, meaning it’s very likely the price for the card now would be above the $150,000 Paul originally paid for it.
On Sunday, Paul took the former boxing world champion the distance in their eight-round exhibition bout in Miami.
With no ringside judges but knockdowns and knockouts permitted, the only way an unofficial winner could have been declared would have been via stoppage.
Mayweather, who retired undefeated and with world titles in five different weight divisions, was expected to toy with an opponent whose only experience in the ring has come against a fellow social media star.
However, Paul used his significant height and weight advantage to hang with Mayweather and even landed a few notable punches. Paul displayed his intent by launching a combination at the end of the first round, although it only found the gloves and arms of Mayweather.
"I had fun. You've got to realise I'm not 21 anymore," Mayweather said post-fight. "He's better than I thought he was. He's a tough, rough competitor. I was surprised by him. He knew how to use his weight and tie me up."
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The biog
Favourite films: Casablanca and Lawrence of Arabia
Favourite books: Start with Why by Simon Sinek and Good to be Great by Jim Collins
Favourite dish: Grilled fish
Inspiration: Sheikh Zayed's visionary leadership taught me to embrace new challenges.
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HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
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