While YouTuber KSI has not devoted himself as much to boxing as Jake Paul, the British star is still known to get into the ring from time to time. He is undefeated in seven fights (one professional, four exhibition, two amateur) and is well-regarded in boxing circles.
On May 13, KSI faced British boxer and businessman Joe Fournier. Fournier was 13-0 in his professional career but was coming off a loss in his most recent fight. In September 2021, Fournier loss by decision to David Haye. The fight was for the Misfits Boxing cruiserweight title, held by KSI. The YouTuber had won the belt in 2022 and successfully defended it in January 2023. While a hyped matchup, it was over quickly. KSI needed just two rounds to land a KO on Fournier. However, not everyone is happy with the result.
Soon after the fight, Jake Paul took to Twitter, posting a video of KSI’s knockout. I respect boxing too much to respect what that was. “If that was indeed a real boxing match it will be ruled a no contest or disqualification,” Paul wrote. The YouTuber-turned-boxer was referring to the apparent contact between KSI’s elbow and Fournier’s face that scored the knockout. In the footage, Fournier appears to dodge a punch from KSI, only to make contact with the YouTuber’s elbow. Paul reiterated his sentiment on Instagram.
At the time of writing, the fight has been officially called as a victory for KSI. However, that could change in the coming days. If DAZN, the boxing promoter who oversees and broadcasts Misfits Boxing, deems the incident worth of review, the result could become one of two things. Firstly, the Fournier could be declared the winner. If the elbow was ruled to be intentional, then KSI could be disqualified. However, the more likely outcome in the case of a review would be a ruling of no contest. This would come in the event that an illegal elbow was deemed to have been thrown but no intentionally. This is a developing story and we’ll have any updates here at HotNewHipHop.
The world of influencer boxing has grown significantly in recent years. As we’ve seen in recent cards, some of the internet’s biggest stars have stepped into the ring to prove themselves. These YouTubers, TikTokers, and other social media sensations have evidently brought a new level of excitement and intrigue to the sport. In this article, we present the current Top 10 Pound-for-Pound (P4P) influencer boxing rankings. As a result of the growing trend of influencer boxing, we’ve highlighted some of the biggest names in this emerging world.
10. Oladeji Olatunji AKA Deji
(Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images for LivexLive )
Younger brother to KSI, Deji Olatunji, better known as ‘Deji’, has built a reputation as a fierce competitor in the ring. Although his professional record is not as decorated as his brother’s, Deji’s determination and natural talent have earned him the number 10 spot in our influencer boxing rankings.
A relatively new face to the world of influencer boxing, Isiah Ocasio-Pantoja, also known as ‘ZHC’, has quickly gained attention for his powerful punches and aggressive style. While he has yet to face the top names in the sport, his early performances have shown promise, securing him a spot in the Top 10.
8. Logan Paul
(Photo by Cliff Hawkins/Getty Images)
Logan Paul, brother of Jake Paul, has had a significant impact on influencer boxing since his first fight against KSI in 2018. Although he has yet to claim a major victory in the sport, his continued presence and zeal have earned him the number 8 position in the rankings.
Walid Mushsein, known as ‘Sharks’, has shown his skills in the ring through a series of impressive wins during his time in the sport. With a combination of agility, power, and precise technique, Sharks has proven that he’s an incredible force in the world of influencer boxing.
Slim, a skilled and strategic boxer, has captured the attention of fans and fellow opponents alike during his time in the ring. With an impressive record and several noteworthy victories under his belt, Slim has certainly earned his spot in the Top 10 rankings and continues to climb his way to the top.
5. Ali Al-Fakhri AKA AnEsonGib
(Photo by John Parra/Getty Images)
Ali Al-Fakhri, better known as ‘AnEsonGib’, has undoubtedly emerged as one of the most exciting and aggressive fighters in influencer boxing. His never-back-down attitude and ferocious approach have earned him a significant following, as well as the number 5 spot in our rankings.
4. Nurideen Shabazz AKA Deen the Great
(Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images)
Nurideen Shabazz, also known as ‘Deen the Great’, has been turning heads with his remarkable boxing skills and charismatic presence in the ring. With a strong focus on technique and discipline, Deen the Great has earned his position as one of the top influencers in boxing today.
3. Olajide Olatunji AKA KSI
(Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images)
One of the pioneers of influencer boxing, KSI has undoubtedly become a household name in the sport.
With high-profile wins against Logan Paul and Joe Weller, as well as creating his own brand of influencer events, Misfits Boxing, KSI has established himself as a worthy opponent with in the ring. All things considered, he earned the number 3 spot in our rankings.
2. Busta Breezie AKA Salt Papi
(Photo by Yui Mok/PA Images via Getty Images)
Busta Breezie, also known as ‘Salt Papi’, has rapidly climbed the ranks of influencer boxing with his impressive technical skills and relentless work ethic. With a string of wins against highly-ranked opponents during his time in the influencer boxing scene, Salt Papi has proven that he is a formidable contender, earning him the number 2 spot on our list.
(Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA / AFP) (Photo by CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP via Getty Images)
Topping the influencer boxing rankings is none other than Jake Paul, dubbed ‘The Problem Child.’ Known for his controversial personality and fierce competitiveness, Jake has made significant waves in the world of boxing since his debut in 2018. With a series of high-profile victories against names like AnEsonGib, Nate Robinson, and Ben Askren, Jake has not only earned the top spot in our influencer boxing rankings but has also garnered respect and recognition from traditional boxing circles.
Conclusion
The landscape of influencer boxing is continually evolving as more and more social media stars step into the ring to test their skills and prove themselves. However, the fighters featured in our Top 10 P4P rankings have demonstrated dedication, discipline, and an innate talent for the sport, capturing the imagination of fans and fellow competitors alike. With each new fight, these influencers continue to further push the boundaries of the sport, ensuring that the world of influencer boxing will remain a thrilling and ever-evolving spectacle for fans around the globe.
Jake Paul and KSI have been in a longstanding feud. Overall, both of these men are YouTube stars who have entered the boxing world. KSI has fought twice against Logan Paul, with one draw and one victory. Additionally, Paul is a superstar at this point, although he did lose his last fight against Tommy Fury. At this point, there are all sorts of rumblings that they might get to fight each other. Both of these men have been going back and forth on social media over the last few months, however, there is still no fight in sight.
Recently, KSI found himself at the center of a controversy. While appearing in a Sidemen video on YouTube, KSI ended up using a racial slur that is used against South Asian people. Subsequently, KSI took to social media where he apologized for what went down. Despite the apology, Jake Paul jumped on the opportunity to kick KSI while he was down. In the tweet down below, you can see that Paul went off on the YouTuber. He urged his rival to be better and to start thinking about charities he can donate to.
Jake Paul Speaks
Fake guy with fake apologies every other week. I hope you take this more serious than taking a break off social media so you can focus on training and then reappearing two weeks before your fight saying you’re a new man.
“Fake guy with fake apologies every other week,” Paul wrote. “I hope you take this more serious than taking a break off social media so you can focus on training and then reappearing two weeks before your fight saying you’re a new man. Meet with British South Asian community leaders, get with the right charities and give back. I made my own mistakes in my early 20s but we are too old for this behavior. I look forward to knocking you the fuck out on behalf of all South Asians around the world. You 30 year old prick.”
At this point, Jake Paul is clearly trying to play dirty. Using a rival’s controversy to his advantage isn’t exactly the definition of “class.” However, this is one of the reasons why Paul is able to sell fights. He knows how to build tension, and it is something that promoters love. Let us know whether or not you think these two will ever get in the ring, in the comments down below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news from around the sports world.
(@nojumper)
