This could be one of the biggest clashes of the boxing calendar
YouTube star KSI claims he was the first person to make influencer boxing popular – and now wants to fight Jake Paul.
Real name Olajide ‘JJ’ Olatunji, the 28-year-old has twice fought Paul’s brother Logan – initially drawing with the Ohio native before defeating him in a rematch.
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Both Paul brothers have subsequently gone on to make millions from fights against Floyd Mayweather, ex-UFC star Ben Askren and various other athletes.
However, since his match with Logan Paul, KSI’s boxing career has stalled. He has instead devoted his time to YouTube and the music business.
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Speaking as a guest on the latest episode of the Private Parts podcast with ex-Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing, KSI was asked whether this had left him with any ill-feeling.
While insisting it was he who first made ‘influencer boxing’ popular, KSI admitted “Logan and Jake have really taken it to another level”.
He said he finds it annoying because his burgeoning music career no longer gives him the time to focus on boxing.
KSI defeated Logan Paul when they met for a second time for their professional debut cruiserweight fight at Staples Center on November 9, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. KSI won by decision. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)The Watford man does, however, want to fight again.
“I don’t want to say too much…”, he began, although the conversation turned when host Laing brought up Jake Paul.
“I’ll beat him, 100 per cent,” KSI replied.
Laing pointed to Jake Paul’s aggressive demeanour, which KSI says exists “until someone hits him hard”.
He continued: “He hasn’t really been tested. [Tyron] Woodley should be able to test him, and then we’ll be able to see if he’s the real deal.
“Ben Askren didn’t test him at all. Ben Askren was absolute dog, bro. It was an absolute sham. But we all knew he couldn’t box anyway.”
The ringside view of Jake Paul's TKO. @ESPNRingside pic.twitter.com/YgasSH1Br4
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) April 18, 2021
When asked to name the three men he wants to fight in the future, he replied “Jake Paul, [Floyd] Mayweather and Austin McBroom.”
