KSI will fight Dillon Danis next month after former Premier League footballer Wayne Bridge pulled out of their scheduled boxing match.
The March 29 date will be the YouTuber-turned-boxer’s first return to the ring after losing to Tommy Fury in 2023.
Bridge was due to be KSI’s opponent for the Manchester bout, but the former Chelsea and England defender withdrew from the fight following derogatory and controversial comments made by the 31-year-old as they faced off last month.
KSI - real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji - tried to taunt Bridge over ex-girlfriend, and mother of one of his children, Vanessa Perroncel, who allegedly had an affair with his former Chelsea captain John Terry. Perroncel has repeatedly denied the affair took place.
Shortly after the face-off, Bridge withdrew from the fight, expressing concern over KSI’s behaviour as an adult and the influence he has over his considerably younger audience.
A statement read: "I'm sure a lot of you have seen what happened on Saturday night at the Misfits Boxing event. Firstly, I think it's important that I explain my reason for accepting the fight. I always like to challenge myself. This felt like a good opportunity to go up against an interesting opponent on a big stage.
"I have always loved boxing as part of my everyday training routine. I was fully prepared to train hard and have some fun. Of course, I expected to face some criticism, but I feel like what was said on Saturday crossed a line. These are deeply personal comments that affect mine and other families involved in the situation. I'm a family man first and my priority is protecting them.
"My opponent is someone that many children look up to around the world, including my kids. I hope one day he will look back on this differently. I personally don't want to be involved in these exchanges. I will no longer be fighting on March 29. I'm still looking out for my next big challenge and have some exciting things coming up in 2025. Thanks for all the love. The support has been overwhelming. I want my friends and family to know how special they are. Deep down I know this is the right thing to do."
Danis has stepped up as Bridge’s replacement more than two years after initially being scheduled to fight KSI. Danis, who is a former Bellator MMA star, explained months after that fighting KSI “was a lose-lose for me and beating him was like 'who cares?'”
The 31-year-old, who went on to lose convincingly to Logan Paul, has had a change of heart and will headline Misfits 21 on March 29 in Manchester.
