KSI has vowed he would "destroy" ex-kickboxer Andrew Tate after his rival's sparring footage went viral.
YouTube star KSI returns to the ring this weekend against Joe Fournier at Wembley Arena as he looks to set up potential fights with Jake Paul or Tommy Fury. One rival KSI has been heavily linked to take on in the squared circle is controversial ex-kickboxer Tate who built up notoriety on social media for his contentious views on society.
Tate has posted videos of himself back in training as he no longer competes in the professional kickboxing ranks, having gone after potential bouts against Paul. He sparred with TikTok star Robert Alexandru where he was filmed being put on the back foot by his aggressive sparring partner.
Despite taking some big shots, he eventually dropped his rival with a body shot which saw him stay down at the conclusion of the session. However KSI was quick to deliver his verdict on the former fighting champion, writing: "From watching this, I would absolutely DESTROY Andrew Tate. Watch me on May 13 for those that don’t believe me."
KSI at one point looked set to potentially enter negotiations with Tate, but it remains unclear if his rival will be given a platform to fight on due to his public views on women. The chance of Tate stepping into the squared circle may have risen after his re-appearance in gloves, having previously faced off with Paul before his arrest in Romania.
Tate has significant fighting experience in the kickboxing ranks, but has never fought in traditional boxing unlike KSI who has now had several outings against social media stars. KSI made a U-turn on the potential fight after Tate's views continued to be aired online, which angered the 36-year-old.
And he has claimed previously that KSI would not want the fight given the risk associated with sharing the ring with him. Tate told Mirror Fighting : "Look at his last fights. He doesn't want a real fight. He wants to make money off his fans, scam them all and waste everybody's time. He knows with me it's a real fight, why take a real fight when he can beat up idiots for millions?
"He's not interested in a real fight; that's why he doesn't want to fight me, because he'll get hurt badly, for one, and two, all of his bulls*** would be over when he can continue to fight trash cans for cash. It doesn't make sense for him to fight me. I'm realistic and I know why's he's saying what he's saying. It doesn't make any sense for him to fight me.
"He'd get destroyed and the game would be over. Why not just beat up idiots and sell it to YouTubers? Fair play, he's making a ton of money, I've nothing against the guy. He spoke a bunch of s*** about me getting banned but he's just afraid of getting cancelled."
