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KSI vs Jake Paul is a proposed cruiserweight 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]
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Main articles: KSI vs Logan Paul and KSI vs. Logan Paul II |
On 3 February 2018, KSI made his debut as an amateur boxer against Joe Weller at the Copper Box Arena in London.[4] On that night, KSI defeated Weller via third round technical knockout. After the fight, KSI called out Jake and Logan Paul to an amateur bout. Initially, both Paul brothers declined KSI's offer and instead insisted that KSI should fight their father Greg Paul, or challenge them to an MMA fight. After constant back and forth, it was scheduled that KSI would fight Logan Paul and Jake Paul would fight Deji, KSI's younger brother, at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England on 25 August.[5] J. Paul won via technical knockout against Deji in the fifth round while KSI and L. Paul resulted in a majority draw.[6][7] KSI and L. Paul then had a professional rematch on 9 November 2019 resulting in KSI winning via split decision.[8]
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Main article: COVID-19 pandemic in the United Kingdom |
On 31 January 2020, Paul made his professional debut against AnEsonGib as the co-feature to the WBO world middleweight title bout between professional boxers Demetrius Andrade and Luke Keeler.[9] During the KSI vs Logan Paul II bout, KSI insisted that Paul should fight AnEsonGib and if he were to win, then they would face each other. Paul won via technical knockout at 2:18 in the first round.[10] After the fight, KSI and Paul exchanged words on stage.[11] 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 responds to the COVID-19 pandemic which prevented KSI from being able to train for the bout.[12]
Paul however, continued his boxing career, and faced NBA player Nate Robinson on 28 November defeating him via second round knockout.[13] On 17 April 2021, Paul defeated retired professional mixed martial artists in Ben Askren via first round knockout.[14] On 29 August, Paul defeated retired professional mixed martial artists Tyron Woodley via split decision.[15] On 18 December, Paul defeated Woodley a second time via sixth round knockout after professional boxer Tommy Fury withdrew.[16][17] On 29 October 2022, Paul defeated retired mixed martial artists legend Anderson Silva via unanimous decision. [1] While the United Kingdom was in lockdown, KSI released two studio albums, Dissimulation and All Over the Place.[18][19]
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Main articles: Jake Paul vs Tommy Fury and KSI vs Tommy Fury |
KSI @ksi I’m gonna send you a contract. We fight next year. Wembley Stadium. Winner of the fight takes all. 100% of the purse will be on the line.
Put your money where your mouth is and let’s finally end this.
Will you accept?
8 August 2022[‡ 1]
On 27 August 2022, KSI made his boxing return after his three year hiatus against two opponents on the same night, British rapper Swarmz and Mexican professional boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda as the headliner to MF & DAZN: X Series 001.[20][21][22] On that night, KSI defeated both Swarmz and Pineda via second and third round knockout.[23] Originally, KSI was set to face Alex Wassabi but was removed from the fight after sustaining a concussion.[24] After Wassabi pulled from the fight, Paul took it to Twitter to call out KSI and offer him as his Wassabi's replacement. KSI declined his offer and stated that they already contracted another fighter in case Wassabi were to pull from the fight. 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 reasoned to KSI's offer and accepted the deal.[‡ 2]
On 14 January 2023, KSI fought Brazilian YouTuber FaZe Temperrr after mixed martial artists Dillon Danis withdrew, as the headliner to X Series 004.[25] On that night, KSI defeated Temperrr via first round knockout and proceeded to call out Paul after the bout.[26] On 26 February, Paul finally fought professional boxer Tommy Fury in Saudi Arabia and lost via split decision.[27] After the bout, KSI's manager Mams Taylor, revealed that Paul's team had decided that they no longer wish to have a bout in August, instead choosing a bout with Nate Diaz.[28] On 13 May, KSI fought professional boxer Joe Fournier as the headliner to X Series 007 and originally won via a controversial knockout, but was later overruled to a no contest due to an unintentional elbow strike.[29] After the bout, KSI shared a stare down with Paul's former opponent Fury.[29] On 14 October, KSI fought Paul's former opponent Fury and lost via unanimous decision as the headliner to X Series 10 – The Prime Card.[30]
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