YouTube star KSI will face rapper Swarmz in his return to the ring on August 27 after missing out on a fight with fellow social media influencer Alex Wassabi.
The British YouTuber is one of the most famous celebrities in the UK, and his highly-anticipated fourth fight takes place almost three years after his last outing against Logan Paul. He has yet to taste defeat in the ring, and is on a warpath for a bout with his long-time rival Jake Paul once he gets back to regular action.
And it is expected that the fight between KSI and Swarmz won't be much of a contest after the late replacement. Mirror Fighting understands that the rapper, with whom KSI recorded a Top 10 single called Houdini in 2020, began training on Monday, and will have to lose considerable weight to make the fight.
Here's all you need to know about the return of arguably YouTube's most famous boxer...
When is KSI vs Swarmz?
KSI and Swarmz will take to the ring on August 27 in a professional bout sanctioned by the Professional Boxing Association, and not the British Boxing Board of Control. The YouTuber is 2-0-1 in all types of boxing matches with a stoppage win over Joe Weller and a split decision victory after initially drawing with Logan Paul. His professional record is 1-0.
Swarmz has never fought before, but called out his former pal after the pair recorded a song together in 2020. The single was named Houdini and went to No.6 in the UK Charts; KSI's highest-performing song at the time, but they fell out after the rapper missed a scheduled appearance and showed up three hours late to another.
What time will KSI vs Swarmz start in the UK?
The event will begin broadcasting at 7pm on Saturday, August 27 in the UK. There will be a seven-fight card on the night, all of which take place in three-minute professional-length rounds.
Expect to see the main event ring walks at around 9.30pm or 10pm, depending on how the undercard goes. Given that there are some raw beginners boxing in 10oz gloves with no headgear, expect a few early nights and a possibly very early main event.
Who do you think wins; KSI or Swarmz? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!
How to watch via TV and live stream
KSI vs Swarmz will be shown exclusively on streaming service DAZN in the UK. You can start a subscription to DAZN for £7.99 a month here. This will be DAZN's first pay-per-view offering in the market after debuting the service in America with Canelo vs Dmitry Bivol in May.
It will cost £11.99 for existing subscribers and £19.98 for new subscribers, who will also receive a one-month DAZN subscription as part of their purchase. This price proved controversial with fans back when it was KSI vs Wassabi, and will likely be even more so now that the fight is a much less appealing match-up
KSI vs Swarmz fight card
Main Event: KSI vs Swarmz
The grudge match between KSI and Swarmz comes after the pair fell out over their 2020 Top 10 hit Houdini. KSI was meant to face Alex Wassabi, who had just beaten his brother Deji, but now reignites his rivalry with Swarmz.
Faze Temperrr vs TBA
Both 1-0 in the boxing ring, fans were excited to see rapper Blueface take on Faze owner Thomas 'Temperrr' Oliveira. But when the musician was forced out of the bout due to an incident outside of the ring, the bout was shelved, and it is now expected that Temperrr will face Slim Albaher, although the American is currently nursing an eye injury
Deji vs Fousey
Somebody's 0 has got to go in this comical battle of winless fighters. The pair have fought a collective four times, losing three of them by stoppage and one decision with Deji going 3-0 (2KOs) and Fousey getting stopped by Slim Albaher in 2019. However, they both look in the shape of their lives for this fight.
Faze Sensei vs King Kenny
King Kenny lost to Faze Temperrr in his last outing, but has moved on to arguably an even tougher opponent for this one in combat veteran Sensei. The American has kick-boxed, fought in MMA and landed a vicious KO in his boxing debut, and this one is a sleeper pick for fight of the night.
Deen The Great vs EvilHero
The professional career of famed social media street-fighter Deen The Great begins on this undercard when he squares off with Tik Tok star EvilHero. The American is 2-0 in the boxing world with amateur wins on Celebrity Boxing and Bare-Knuckle FC's brief foray into influencer fights, and this one could prove interesting.
Salt Papi vs Andy Warski
Right-wing commentator Warski will finally get a chance to lace up the gloves after multiple cancellations when he faces Tik Tok star Salt Papi. The Brit burst onto the scene with a star-making win at Showstar Boxing in March over Halal Ham, and is expected to land a big victory here.
Sam Hyde vs THMPSN
The fighting candyman Sam Hyde makes his YouTube boxing debut in the hopes of eventually earning a bout with streamer Hasan Piker. This massive heavyweight matchup opens the show, and should be a fascinating way to kick off the action, with Hyde known for his wacky antics.
Quotes corner
KSI: "Bro, he's been calling me out and obviously I replied to it like 'Swarmz what are you doing? You're not going to smoke me. But we were like 'f*** it, we'll put you on the back-burner and we'll see what happens, but I doubt we'll ever fight. Alex Wassabi pulls out and then we'll fight you, lol, whatever.'
"Three weeks out I'm thinking 'shit' and now I've got to fight Swarmz? Nah fam, s***. Look, Swarmz says he'd smoke me, so let's see, let's find out. Now we get to find out, Alex said he'd smoke me and he pulled out of the fight - at least Swarmz is getting into the ring, I have no respect for Alex Wassabi, f*** Alex, bro."
Swarmz: "I'd win, bro, I'd smoke him. I'm a big man, I've smoked man on the road, bro and I would smoke him." KSI responded at the time, declaring that he was levels above, but agreed to give him the opportunity if the fight was cancelled.
