Controversial comedian Sam Hyde has left boxing rival and TikTok star THMPSN baffled by his outlandish antics ahead of their boxing match this weekend.
The heavyweight duo will meet on the undercard of YouTube superstar KSI's boxing return tomorrow night, with the Australian struggling to keep up verbally with his opponent's antics. Hyde, from Rhode Island in America, has adopted the 'Irish Candyman' persona, leaving fans in hysterics as he bursts into poetry and regales media with stories of his fictional upbringing.
Meanwhile THMPSN, whose real name is Jordan Thompson, has attempted to laugh off the strange behaviours of his rival, insisting that he is focused on the fight. The pair are expected to weigh-in around 500lb collectively later today, and will compete in a hard-hitting 3x3-minute round fight tomorrow night.
"He's an interesting dude," THMPSN told Mirror Fighting of his opponent. "I've sparred with bigger, badder guys than that so I'm not really worried about him. They're more cool, calm and collected but they hit harder, I think."
The Australian has been training at the famous Wild Card Boxing gym in California. And while he hasn't spent much time with Freddie Roach, he has been working with some of the world's premiere coaches who have left him confident that he'll be able to pull off a victory.
"It's been absolutely amazing," he explained. "This is the best gym in the world, I've been getting the best training that you could possibly get. I haven't seen Freddie much but he's around a good bit and he's a chill figure in the gym."
Who do you think wins this clash of the titans at The O2 arena in London? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
Meanwhile, Hyde has been much more outgoing this week, stealing the show at yesterday's press conference with his poetry readings which left KSI and promoter Kalle Sauerland in hysterics. He has refused to break his 'Candyman' persona, donning strange sunglasses and draping himself in an Irish tricolour during media appearances in the build-up.
"They're not respecting the Irish," he told Mirror Fighting of the reception to his character. "It's driving me crazy, the lack of respect for the Irish in this room right now, the pure hostility against the Irish, I aim to put an end to it. The man, he smells like a blowpop, he's got the taste of candy about him and I'm going to eat. I didn't actually get to look at his footage yet, but I will - I'm going to make it as quick as possible, believe you me. It will be like breaking open a Cadbury egg. If I don't s*** my pants, I guarantee the first round, but we'll see. My message to THMPSN is; 'I hope it was worth it!'"
