KSI joked he "values his life" after scoffing at a fan's suggestion he fight light-heavyweight world champion Artur Beterbiev.
The YouTube boxer has declared he will retire after he faces Jake Paul, which is expected to take place at some point next year after he takes two more tune-up fights. He made his return to action in August against rapper Swarmz and journeyman Luis Pineda on the same night, and will face Dillon Danis on January 14.
KSI has previously admitted he would like a slow burn on his way to facing Paul after allowing a skill gap to emerge between the pair when he defeated Jake's older brother Logan. Jake went on to keep fighting and training through 2020 despite the coronavirus lockdowns, while the Brit focused on his music career and allowed his rival to win four professional bouts before returning.
However, one fan on Twitter bizarrely suggested that to prepare for a bout with Paul, a 6-0 novice with seven fights at any level, KSI should face IBF, WBO and WBC light-heavyweight champion Beterbiev. The Russian is 18-0 and has knocked out every one of his opponents, after a lengthy amateur career in which he faced the likes of Oleksandr Usyk.
Listing potential KSI opponents, the fan wrote that after facing Danis, KSI should face " Tommy Fury /Hasim Rahman Jr or maybe just maybe Artur Beterbiev (idk trynna throw in a real boxing name, not some MMA fighter) in April or May" and then moving on to Paul in September, October, or November.
KSI laughed off the suggestion in response, sharing a series of laughing emojis as well as the message "Man said 'Beterbiev'! You lot need to chill. I value my life." The Russian is currently being lined up to face Dmitry Bivol in an undisputed clash at 175lb, with his countryman the only title holder left in his division.
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Meanwhile, KSI has fought just five times in any discipline - only once as a professional. He defeated Joe Weller in early 2018, before drawing with Logan Paul that summer. They rematched as professionals in November 2019, with the Brit winning a split decision and taking almost three years off before his "two fights in one night" comeback, where he landed two stoppages in exhibition bouts.
And while Jake would be a sizeable favourite to beat KSI if the pair were to fight, there's still a belief that the bout would be competitive, and a large group of people who believe the Brit would win. However, the American is much more confident in his skills, perhaps at times to a delusional level.
At 25-years-old, Paul believes he is in a position to move on to world title opportunities in future, and reckons that he and Canelo Alvarez will one day fight for a belt at light-heavyweight. The Mexican is widely considered a pound-for-pound great, and has been boxing decades longer than Paul.
