Eddie Hearn has called on influencer Salt Papi to turn professional after his latest KO win at the weekend.
YouTube star Papi - real name Busta Breezie - has made a huge impression in the boxing ring since competing under KSI's promotional banner Misfits Boxing, winning his first two fights in devastating fashion. The Filipino star competed in his latest test against Josh Brueckner on the fourth edition of the event and recorded another booming second-round KO.
It is understood Papi has had a wealth of experience in the ring prior to his Misfits debut, having competed at amateur level for several years. After continuing to earn an array of praise for his performances, Matchroom Boxing kingpin Hearn has hailed the star as a man of the people following his routine win.
He said during an appearance on the DAZN Boxing Show : "Salt Papi can fight. Salt Papi's my favourite. I wanna turn Salt Papi professional. Leave him [at his current weight class], he's a man of the people, he's got a belly like me, we love him."
Papi already revealed a direct message that Hearn had sent him following the win which read "You the man Papi", as fans began to speculate if the promotion were interested in his signature. Papi has earned rave reviews from others in the professional ranks including boxing legend Manny Pacquiao.
The 28-year-old declared interest in an influencer fight with YouTube star Jake Paul following his win, which was backed by Pacquiao on Instagram who encouraged him to chase it. Papi is likely to remain competing in the influencer scene but will require a step up in the level of his opponents.
Do you think Salt Papi has what it takes to turn professional in the boxing ring? Let us know in the comments section below
Praise for the influencer has also come from fighters including British star Chris Eubank Jr who was ringside for his previous win over Andy Warski. Eubank Jr was hugely impressed with the display and stated that Papi had the potential to become a star in the box office.
"When I was watching him licking his lips in front of his opponent before the fight, I was like, ‘This kid’s got something'," he said on the DAZN broadcast. "It became very clear early on with the foot movement, the in-and-out, that he’s been practicing his footwork. And then he hit him with the two-piece combo and the guy went to sleep, incredible.
“If you look at him, he looks like he works a nine-to-five at a cheese factory. So to see him come out there, moonwalk, dance, lick his lips and then knock a guy out, that’s box office right there."
