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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ben Davies

KSI shows off black eye as YouTuber suffers injury ahead of Joe Fournier fight

KSI has shown off a black eye after suffering the injury in sparring ahead of his boxing fight with Joe Fournier.

YouTube star KSI - real name JJ Olatunji - will step into the squared circle in his latest appearance against former professional boxer Fournier on May 13 at the OVO Wembley Arena. It will be the toughest examination of KSI's career to date, but he has been gaining experience in the ring knocking out the likes of FaZe Temperrr, Swarmz and Luis Pineda since making his return.

Videos have emerged of the British star in training with his coach Alexis Demetriades, where he has also been sparring some tough opponents including undefeated boxer Idris Virgo. In his latest YouTube video, KSI began the video by addressing the black eye he was sporting, which had significantly swollen it partially closed.

KSI suffered a black eye in sparring ahead of fighting Joe Fournier (YouTube/ JJ Olatunji)

After revealing the injury he went on to explain how it came about, adding: "Mind the eye. I did it in sparring, just a clash of heads. Training camp is going well. I've just been going one hundred miles an hour, in general, this year."

It remains unclear how the injury could impact his preparations for the fight, but it is unlikely that he will have to pull out from the event given there is a month until the seventh Misfits Boxing card. He will be hoping it as healed up in time for the test against 40-year-old Fournier who showed during his brief boxing career that he carried power.

Exciting times lay ahead for influencer KSI who could set up a huge clash with Tommy Fury if he wins given that the pair have naturally been thrust together after Jake Paul confirmed he would fight Nate Diaz in August. And he believes that there will be a whole new pressure on his shoulders after Paul's defeat to Fury in February.

Who wins - KSI or Joe Fournier? Let us know your prediction in the comments section below

He said at a press conference to launch the event with Fournier: "When it comes to Jake Paul I don’t like the guy. I know there is a lot of pressure on me now, there is going to be a lot of eyes. I want to be the person to make sure it doesn’t. People forget that I am a YouTuber that fell in love with boxing.

"Reality settled in with Jake Paul and when he got pieced up by Tommy Fury people realised he isn’t that good. People are going to want to know what I can really do in this situation and to see if I can stand with the big boys. "Like I said I truly believe I can and I have pushed myself to the limit and am really training hard.

"Even when I was in the US I was training and my team have put me through my paces. I have constantly tried to elevate myself and I feel when I get in that ring you will see a different KSI. You will see one that isn't afraid to lose, and one that wants to make sure he comes out victorious."

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