YouTube star KSI is excited to re-enter the role of underdog as he moves forward in his boxing career, with plans to face Tommy Fury later this year.
The British rapper started his career in the ring against heavy betting favourites in Joe Weller and Logan Paul, before taking time away from the sport to focus on his chart-topping music career. But since making his return back in August, he's faced admittedly "lacklustre" opponents from the world of social media, as well as a journeyman boxer.
But that will change on Saturday night when he takes on 9-0 professional boxer Joe Fournier in a DAZN pay-per-view headliner at the OVO Arena, Wembley. His fellow London native had fought as a professional just once since 2016, but dines out on a dubious reign as WBA international champion at light-heavyweight that saw him ranked in the world top 15.
And speaking with Mirror Fighting ahead of his return to action this weekend, KSI explained how he is slowly making his way back into that position, detailing how he expects to face unbeaten Fury next. "I love being the underdog," he insisted. "I love when I'm able to prove people wrong.
"When I fought Swarmz [the rapper he defeated in his August return], that was lacklustre. Then I fought [Luis] Pineda and that was lacklustre. When I fought Temperrr I thought 'what? Is that it?' For me, I love pushing myself, I love trying to better myself and trying to be the best human being I can be."
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And he feels that 40-year-old Fournier, whose last outing was an exhibition with pal and former heavyweight champion David Haye in 2021, is the challenge that will take him to an extra level. From then, he would like to get a deal made with Fury for another massive PPV showdown.
"If it's hard then I love it and I enjoy it," he added. "When I'm fighting Joe Fournier I see his record, I've seen him boxing and I'm like 'alright, pro boxer, I have a chance, let's go'. I want someone who can really fight back, really put me in the deep end and knows boxing skill and has boxing experience, way more than me.
"So I'm like, yeah, this is a challenge. Then after that, Tommy Fury. Everyone sees him as a guy that's going to destroy me. I have no chance. I love that. For me, I know it's going to make me a better boxer, better fighter and better person in general. So once I get in the ring and show the world that Tommy Fury ain't s***, then what?"
