KSI is determined to fight Jake Paul in 2023 before retiring from boxing.
The YouTube star - real name JJ Olatunji - was involved in the early rise of influencer boxing, beating Joe Weller in a white-collar bout before drawing with Paul's brother Logan in the same format. He then defeated him in a high-profile professional rematch which triggered the rise of influencers in the sport.
After taking a break, KSI won two fights against Swarmz and Luis Pineda on one night in August as he began to plot a path to a fight with long-term rival Paul. And he believes he has the tools to beat his rival which will allow him to cement his legacy in the YouTube world.
"The only reason I've come back into the boxing world is to fight Jake Paul and beat him," KSI said during a recent video on his YouTube channel while assessing his boxing future. "I've said I'm going to fight him in 2023. Ladies and gentlemen once I fight Jake Paul I am done. I would have solidified my legacy and then I am hanging up my gloves forever. I'm not boxing anymore after that so why would we want to rush that?
"Everyone is having a great time and everyone is enjoying the influencer boxing scene right now. I am enjoying boxing now and the whole scene, everything is great so why do we want to rush the end product? When it is done you guys are going to miss this whole era but it will be done. So in conclusion you guys need to just enjoy the ride."
KSI will first return in January next year when he takes on Conor McGregor's teammate Dillon Danis in a boxing clash as he looks to continue to step up his opposition ahead of a potential meeting with Paul. It has been a different route for his rival who intends to enter the mainstream of the sport and become world champion.
Who wins when the pair meet - KSI or Jake Paul? Let us know in the comments section below
Paul defeated UFC legend Anderson Silva last month and has claimed six professional boxing wins without defeat including against former UFC champion Tyron Woodley. Despite planning to face a number of boxers with a natural background in the sport soon, he has also verbally agreed to a winner-takes-all clash with KSI in the UK next year.
The pair exchanged verbal barbs on Twitter yesterday, with KSI writing: "Who was the last person that Jake Paul fought that was under 30?" Paul produced a lengthy response, responding: "Won’t be you since your own team says you need two more fights to be 'ready' for me.
"You are a duck. Slim would have been a better test than a guy who has two fights in his entire MMA career, that ended 3.5 years ago and has never punched someone in a fight."
