In a major announcement that will disappoint fight fans, British internet sensation KSI has declared his boxing career over, revealing he turned down a staggering $30 million offer to finally settle his rivalry with Jake Paul.
The End of an Era in Influencer Boxing
KSI, whose real name is Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji, was instrumental in launching the influencer boxing phenomenon. His initial bouts against Joe Weller in 2018 and Logan Paul later that year, culminating in a professional win over Logan Paul in 2019, paved the way for a new sporting spectacle.
He further cemented his role in the scene by co-founding the Misfits Boxing promotion in 2022 alongside manager Mams Taylor and promoters Kalle and Nisse Sauerland. After two wins in one night against Swarmz and Luis Alcaraz Pineda, KSI became the promotion's flagship star.
His 2023 campaign included a brutal first-round knockout of FaZe Temperrr and a controversial No Contest against Joe Fournier. His final professional bout was a points defeat to Tommy Fury in October 2023.
Why the Mega-Fight with Jake Paul Fell Apart
For years, a grudge match between KSI and Jake Paul was billed as the biggest possible fight in influencer boxing history. However, the bout was plagued by negotiations, with weight divisions becoming a persistent sticking point.
Speaking on the Ranveer Show, KSI explained his decision to walk away. He stated that Jake Paul presented "excuse after excuse" and continually moved the goalposts regarding weight. KSI claimed he was ready to fight Paul, but the American instead chose to face Nate Diaz, forcing KSI to fight Tommy Fury.
"I think I tried to build up again to try and fight Jake again, and then he was just getting heavier and heavier," KSI said. "Then it got to the point where it was like, what am I doing? I’m done."
Turning Down a Fortune and the Pressure of the Ring
The financial incentive to continue was enormous, but KSI insisted no amount of money could lure him back. "These guys can't give me any amount of money to fight this guy," he stated, referencing the $30 million offer for the Paul fight.
He also opened up about the immense psychological pressure of fighting, describing the anxiety of walking out with thousands of people watching and the burden of knowing fans had bet large sums on him. He contrasted the euphoria of victory with the crushing feeling of a wasted training camp after a loss.
KSI expressed a dislike for the persona he felt compelled to adopt to sell fights, calling it his "bad side." He has now refocused his energies on content creation, leaving his boxing legacy behind. He even revealed he gave all the money from his Tommy Fury fight to his trainers, underscoring that financial gain was not his primary motivation.
With this definitive statement, one of the most anticipated fights in the digital boxing world appears to be dead in the water, marking the close of a significant chapter for the 30-year-old entrepreneur and entertainer.
