YouTube star AnEsonGib completed a 55lb weight loss transformation as he weighed in at 176lb ahead of his fight with Austin McBroom tonight in Los Angeles, California.
The social media star claimed that he was "obese" after ballooning up to 231lb during lockdown, which was enforced just weeks after his embarrassing first round defeat to Jake Paul. 'Gib' was believed to be a challenge for Paul after winning his two white collar boxing bouts on the undercard of KSI's fights with Joe Weller and Logan Paul, but was comfortably beaten in his professional debut.
He had already lost a considerable amount of weight to get in shape for his newfound boxing career, but had needed to bulk up for the Paul fight, force-feeding himself to make an unnatural cruiserweight limit with his 5'9" frame. And after suffering a quickfire loss after months of training and being forced into lockdown, Gib allowed himself to pile on a further 40lb to hit a lifetime high weight.
Coronavirus restrictions lasted longer than anyone predicted, and Gib was forced to start from scratch when he returned to training after piling on the pounds. But motivation struck when he was offered a fight with Slim Albaher, an American YouTuber who had just stopped Yusef 'Fousey' Erakat.
Ultimately, negotiations broke down, but Gib was back in camp and training, meaning he was ready when the opportunity came along to fight Tik Tok star Tayler Holder. The California-based Texan had been boxing for years, and was part of Jake Paul's early training camps, with many social media influencers feeling that he was too experienced to fight.
The Brit did not share the same feeling, and immediately pressed the issue, imploring fans to push Social Gloves to name him as the mystery opponent for Holder's fight. His fan support saw him earn a spot on the card, and he jetted off to Florida, via a two-week camp in Mexico due to the United States travel ban.
Gib tipped the scales at 179lb for the Holder fight, and used his considerable weight advantage perfectly, overpowering his rival and not letting him breathe for the entire bout. Viewers were amazed at his composure and ability to maintain a pace for five rounds as he dominated the contest.
What do you make of AnEsonGib's impressive body transformation? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Ultimately, the decision was Gib's, but that's not how the scores were read. Erakat was returning to the ring in an announcer role at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, and was handed a card that indicated three scorecards in the Brit's favour, but the result was written as a draw.
The result was ultimately rectified by ISKA, the governing body sanctioning the fight, and he was given his win retroactively. However, he took the problem personally, and set out to get revenge on Social Gloves owner Austin McBroom; who had boxed in the main event when he stopped Bryce Hall.
The pair were locked in negotiations for a year before eventually a deal was made for July 30, which was postponed due to a paperwork issue on the Brit's end. Now, they fight in an intense grudge match, with the winner a possible opponent for KSI next January.
