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KSI vs Jake Paul

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KSI vs Jake Paul
VenueWembley Stadium, London, England
Tale of the tape
Boxer KSI Jake Paul
Nickname "The Nightmare" "El Gallo De Dorado"
Hometown Watford, England Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Pre-fight record 4–1 (1) (3 KOs)[a] 11–1 (7 KOs)
Height 6 ft (183 cm) 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)[2]
Style Orthodox Orthodox

KSI vs Jake Paul is a proposed professional crossover boxing match contested between YouTubers KSI and Jake Paul. If the fight occurs, it is expected to take place at Wembley Stadium in London, England.[3]

Background

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2018–2019: KSI's initial call out of Paul

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KSI and Paul in August 2018 ahead of their double billed bout against Logan Paul and Deji

On 3 February 2018, KSI fought fellow YouTuber Joe Weller at the Copper Box Arena in London, defeating him via technical knockout in the 3rd round.[4] On the night, KSI called out Jake Paul, his older brother Logan Paul, and retired footballer Rio Ferdinand.[5] After constant back and forth, it was scheduled that KSI would fight Logan Paul and Jake Paul would fight Deji Olatunji, KSI's younger brother, at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England on 25 August. On the night, Jake Paul won via technical knockout in the 5th round and KSI vs Logan Paul ended in a majority draw.[6] On 9 November 2019, a professional rematch was held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles in which KSI defeated Logan Paul via split decision.[7]

2020–2021: Paul's professional debut and COVID-19 pandemic

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On 30 January 2020, Paul made his professional debut against fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib as the co-feature to the WBO world middleweight title bout between professional boxers Demetrius Andrade and Luke Keeler, in which he won via technical knockout in the 1st round.[8] After the fight, KSI and Paul exchanged words on stage.[9] KSI and Paul were then expected to face each other. However on 23 March, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced the first national lockdown in the United Kingdom in response to the COVID-19 pandemic which prevented KSI from being able to train for the bout.[10] In the United States however, the restrictions were not as severe, thus allowing Paul to continue his boxing career.

On 28 November, Paul fought and defeated retired NBA player Nate Robinson via knockout in the 2nd round.[11] On 17 April 2021, Paul defeated retired professional mixed martial artists in Ben Askren via knockout in the 1st round.[12] Paul then faced retired professional mixed martial artists Tyron Woodley twice. Once on 29 August, defeating him via split decision and second, on 18 December via knockout in the 6th round.[13][14]

2022–present: KSI's return to boxing and Tommy Fury intervention

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On 27 August 2022, KSI returned to boxing after a three year hiatus in an MF–professional bout.[15] Originally, KSI was scheduled to face fellow YouTuber Alex Wassabi, but was cancelled after Wassabi sustained a concussion.[16] Paul immediately took it to Twitter to call out KSI and offer him as his Wassabi's replacement. KSI declined his offer. On 8 August however, KSI tweeted an offer to Paul stating that they will fight in 2023 at Wembley Stadium with the winner taking 100% of the purse made from the event.[‡ 1][3] Paul accepted the deal.[‡ 2] On the night, KSI fought and defeated rapper Swarmz via knockout in the 2nd round and professional boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda via knockout in the 3rd round.[17]

On 14 January 2023, KSI fought and defeated Brazilian YouTuber FaZe Temperrr via knockout in the 1st round and immediately called out Paul.[18] On 26 February, Paul fought professional boxer Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia and lost via split decision.[19] After the bout, KSI's manager and Misfits Boxing co-president Mams Taylor, revealed that Paul's team had decided that they no longer wish to have a bout with KSI in August, instead choosing a bout with Nate Diaz, in which he won via unanimous decision.[20] On 13 May, KSI fought professional boxer Joe Fournier and originally won via a controversial knockout in the 2nd round, but was later overruled to a no contest due to an unintentional elbow strike.[21] After the bout, KSI shared a stare down with Paul's former opponent Fury.[21] On 14 October, KSI fought Paul's former opponent Fury, and lost via unanimous decision.[22] On 16 December, both KSI and Paul were active. Paul fought and defeated professional boxer Andre August via knockout in the 1st round while KSI and fellow YouTuber IShowSpeed held a charity spar for the Anthony Walker Foundation at the exact same time.[23][24]

In 2024, Paul was scheduled to face former undisputed heavyweight champion Mike Tyson on 20 July but was postponed due Tyson suffering from a ulcer flare up.[25] On 1 June, Paul called out KSI on Twitter to step in for Tyson.[26] KSI responded by stating he has a bout scheduled in August and offers to fight in December.[27] Paul then leaked KSI was in negotiations to fight former unified light welterweight champion Amir Khan, and offered to fight Khan in February 2025 if he emerged victorious.[28] Paul then offered KSI a fight in February at 200 Ibs at Madison Square Garden. KSI responded demanding the fight takes place in December at 185 Ibs.[29] The following day on 2 June, Mams Taylor confirmed that Paul will be receiving a contract for either December or February at 185 Ibs.[‡ 3] On 8 June, KSI uploaded a YouTube video proposing one final offer to Paul for May 2025 at 185 Ibs with the option to have the bout take place in the US rather than England.[30] However, Paul's manager and Most Valuable Promotions co-president Nakisa Bidarian stated that Paul is booked for May, and suggested February again.[‡ 4] Taylor responded to Bidarian and accepted the offer.[‡ 5] On 17 June however, Taylor confirmed that team Paul have been "radio silence" in negotiations .[31]

Notes

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  1. ^ On BoxRec, KSI's professional record is 1–1 and his MF-professional record is 3–0–0–1 (3 KOs).[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "BoxRec: Olajide William Olatunji". BoxRec. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  2. ^ "BoxRec: Jake Paul". BoxRec. Retrieved 25 April 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Jake Paul agrees to fight KSI next year ... at Wembley Stadium". TMZ. 8 August 2022.
  4. ^ Sharman, Jon (6 February 2018). "KSI vs Joe Weller: Millions watch YouTube stars' boxing match". The Independent.
  5. ^ Virk, Kameron (5 February 2018). "KSI: Jake and Logan Paul 'need a slap' in the boxing ring". BBC.
  6. ^ "KSI v Logan Paul: YouTube boxing fight ends in a draw". BBC. 26 August 2018.
  7. ^ "KSI vs Logan Paul 2: British YouTuber wins boxing fight against social media rival". Sky News. 11 November 2019.
  8. ^ Hamdani, Adam (31 January 2020). "Jake Paul vs Gib result: AnEsonGib stopped in first round to set up KSI fight". The Independent.
  9. ^ Benson, Michael (21 February 2023). "Jake Paul clashed with KSI after pro debut win over AnEsonGib, which saw him knock opponent down three times – now he faces huge test against pro-boxer in Tommy Fury". talkSport.
  10. ^ Calvert, Jonathan; Arbuthnott, George; Leake, Jonathan; Gadher, Dipesh (23 May 2020). "22 days of dither and delay on coronavirus that cost thousands of British lives". The Sunday Times. Archived from the original on 21 December 2020. Retrieved 12 October 2020.
  11. ^ "Jake Paul knocks out Nate Robinson but boxing names point to safety concerns". BBC. 29 November 2020.
  12. ^ Travis Caldwell (18 April 2021). "YouTube star Jake Paul wins latest boxing match in first round against Ben Askren". CNN. Retrieved 19 April 2021.
  13. ^ Raimondi, Marc (30 August 2021). "Jake Paul beats Tyron Woodley via split decision in cruiserweight fight". ESPN.
  14. ^ Raimondi, Marc; Rothstein, Michael (18 December 2021). "Jake Paul stops Tyron Woodley with one-punch KO". ESPN.
  15. ^ Corby, Donagh (1 July 2022). "KSI confirms boxing return with grudge fight against YouTube rival Alex Wassabi". Daily Mirror.
  16. ^ Eugenio, Oli (5 August 2022). "Alex Wassabi Suffers Injury Ahead of KSI Fight". DramaAlert.
  17. ^ Lelinwalla, Mark (28 August 2022). "KSI destroys Luis Alcaraz Pineda in third-round KO, goes 2-0 on the night". DAZN.
  18. ^ Sky Sports (15 January 2023). "KSI calls out Jake Paul for future fight after knock-out win over FaZe Temperrr at Wembley Arena". Sky Sports.
  19. ^ Tom, Lutz (26 February 2023). "Tommy Fury edges YouTuber turned boxer Jake Paul by split decision". The Guardian.
  20. ^ Bedi, Harddit (12 May 2023). "KSI's Manager Exposes Jake Paul for Breaking Verbal Agreement". Essentially Sports.
  21. ^ a b "Controversy erupts as YouTube star KSI knocks out professional boxer Joe Fournier with illegal elbow". Fox Sports. 13 May 2023.
  22. ^ Pattle, Alex (15 October 2023). "KSI vs Tommy Fury result changed after judging error". The Independent.
  23. ^ Coppinger, Mike (16 December 2023). "Jake Paul finishes Andre August with vicious first-round KO". ESPN.
  24. ^ Jabbar, Nasir (5 December 2023). "Why Jake Paul will be fuming that KSI vs. IShowSpeed agree to 'fight' on December 15". Sport Bible.
  25. ^ Lev, Jacob (31 May 2024). "Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul match delayed due to Tyson's medical issue". CNN.
  26. ^ Neschis, Matthew (1 June 2024). "Jake Paul calls out KSI for July 20 fight as new Mike Tyson plan emerges". Daily Express.
  27. ^ Actualizado (1 June 2024). "KSI responds to Jake Paul's challenge after Mike Tyson's health scare". Marca.
  28. ^ Binoy, Allan (2 June 2024). ""I F*ck With": KSI's Next Opponent Revealed by Jake Paul Amidst Heated Exchange". The Sports Rush.
  29. ^ Haas, Hunter (2 June 2024). "KSI responds to Jake Paul fight request following Mike Tyson health scare". Dexerto.
  30. ^ Foley, Jake (8 June 2024). "KSI makes "final offer" to Jake Paul to settle differences inside boxing ring, offers one tiny "advantage" to the former Disney star". Sportskeeda.
  31. ^ Davies, Ben (17 June 2024). "Inside KSI vs Jake Paul fight negotiations as 'verbal deal' collapsed with promoter doubting YouTube fight will ever happen". talkSport.

Primary sources

In the text these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

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