Jake Paul has dismissed the challenge of YouTube rival KSI - claiming he could KO the Brit inside five minutes and earn $30million for the pleasure.
Paul and KSI - real name Olajide Olatunji - have a long-running rivalry which dates back to the latter's two-fight series with Paul's brother Logan. The pair drew their first fight in Manchester in 2018 before KSI won their professional rematch on points the following year in Los Angeles.
KSI has not fought since, but will return to the ring against Alex Wassabi later this month, and has continually called out the younger Paul brother for a fight. But the 25-year-old has pursued his own path in the ring, building a record of 5-0 with wins over AnEsonGib, Nate Robinson, Ben Askren and back-to-back victories over Tyron Woodley.
Paul was due to return this weekend against Hasim Rahman Jr but the fight was cancelled at a week's notice when the YouTuber claimed his rival was refusing to cut weight. And speaking before the announcement, Paul claimed a fight with KSI would be easy work.
“I don’t think he ever fights me," he told the DAZN Boxing Show. "Why would he sign up for that risk? He knows what would happen. He's not going to risk losing; I think he talks s*** to me all the time to build up everything else he's doing. He's smart and he knows what he's doing but I don't think he's ever going to fight me.
Would Jake Paul KO KSI? Let us know in the comments section below
"I'm going back and getting the W for the Paul name; he's the cockiest kid and he needs a reality check and I'm the one to give him that. I wouldn’t even have to train to fight KSI. I could make $20... 30million, show up eating pizza and knock him out... two rounds max, maybe five minutes of my time for $30m.
"I made $45million boxing, I'm one of the top-five highest-paid athletes under 25, the numbers speak for themselves. It's two different levels, two different worlds, the kid is an internet star and pushing 30 years old. He's popular and has a lot of clout but he's not on the same level as me; he's not build like me. He's fighting an influencer; all respect to Alex Wassabi but I'm fighting professional and I'm knocking them out."
