YouTube boxer KSI has been mocked by fans for posting a video of himself squatting 130kg with alleged poor technique.
KSI looks to continue his unbeaten run in the ring against Bellator fighter Dillon Danis on January 14 at Wembley Arena in London. Just two weeks out from the fight, the Brit has drawn the attention of fans online for the wrong reasons after his squat form was mocked in a recent training clip.
With his trainer watching on closely, KSI unracks a barbell totalling 130kg in weight and proceeds to squat it three times before racking it back in place. Breaking at the hips and knees but barely lowering himself to the ground, critics have accused him of "trolling" due to his bad form.
"Bro posted a light quarter squat as a flex I can’t believe it," one fan replied to the video. "None of those reps counted. Go down in weight a bit to get a full extension," another wrote. A third added: "This has to be a troll video, no one would post this thinking it’s impressive or even average."
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A final fan came to the defence of KSI, insisting the poor technique he is using is to train explosiveness. "Either he’s trolling or he’s not lifting for bodybuilding. This is an explosive squat for sport not a bodybuilding lift. Lots of pro athletes only do quarter squats to improve vertical and explosiveness. Sort of plyometrics," they wrote.
KSI was one of the first content creators to cross over to boxing when he fought to a draw against Logan Paul in 2018, winning a split decision against him in their rematch the following year. The Brit took three years away from boxing to focus on his music and entertainment career, but won his 'two fights in one night' event in August. Both of the bouts were exhibitions and didn't go on KSI's professional record.
'The Nightmare' also posted a video of himself bench pressing 120kg with the help of a spotter and a block on his chest, which reduces the movement's range of motion. Fans continued to mock him as one wrote: "I’ve never seen someone put a pad on their chest on bench, surely that’s cheating the rep if you can’t control weight."
Danis recently accused KSI's manager and Misfits Boxing promoter Mams Taylor of putting a rehydration clause in his contract on short notice. Taylor responded to the claim by offering to remove the clause, stating: "Ok how’s this, even though you signed and agreed to the contract 2 months ago. We will take out the rehydration clause entirely so you have no excuses left to back out now. Nowhere to run."
