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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Donagh Corby

YouTube star Alex Wassabi wants "epic battle" with rival Deji in boxing debut

Alex Wassabi would rather go the distance and win a decision than stop rival Deji early in his boxing debut.

Wassabi, whose real name is Alex Burriss, is set to face Deji Olatunji in London on March 5 in the main event of the inaugural Showstar Boxing event.

And he has quit his 11.5million-subscriber YouTube channel in an effort to focus on getting a win in his first fight, which he wants to earn the hard way.

Wassabi, who has starred on TV shows such as iCarly and Escape The Night, is one of the most well-known social media stars in America, while Olatunji is one of the biggest internet celebrities in the UK.

And they will represent their countries in front of thousands at the iconic London arena, as well as countless more on pay-per-view around the world.

"I'm so excited," Wassabi told Mirror Fighting in his first interview since signing to headline the event. "I've been waiting for this for so long.

"He's finally got the courage to accept the fight against me - the only things out online on me right now is my first couple of spars I ever had.

Alex Wassabi makes his boxing debut on March 5 against Deji (FouseyTUBE/Youtube)

"My plan is to box this entire year, all the way until 2023, I want to dedicate my life to boxing and do nothing else but boxing, recovery, stretching or whatever.

"I don't want to pass up on this opportunity, who gets this opportunity in their life?

"My first fight ever, no amateur fights, no pro fights, and I get to fight at Wembley - I'm not going to pass that up.

"So many people in the world want this so I'm just excited that I finally get a chance to get in there and I want to do it for the rest of the year.

"If anybody wants to fight me, they've got a year to do it!"

Olatunji, whose brother is rapper and professional boxer KSI, knows this could be his last chance at forging a boxing career like his sibling after losing his first two bouts to Jake Paul and Vinnie Hacker.

And Wassabi has a chequered past in the sport himself.

He went viral when he sparred pal Yusef 'Fousey' Erakat in the final weeks of his training camp for his bout with Slim Albaher in 2019, and was knocked out during the filmed session.

Wassabi continued training and tried out to compete on the Social Gloves event that took place in Florida last summer, but was unable to earn a spot after losing to Nick Ireland in the trials.

Who do you think wins; Deji or Alex Wassabi? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below!

But he has been working with coach Ramon Espada, who has trained the likes of Gerland Washington, and professional boxers such as Logan Paul sparring partner and 12-1 fighter Vlad Panin.

Now, he expects a tough battle with Olatunji, which he believes he can win due to his superior fitness both physically and mentally.

"Deji's only chance of beating me is if nerves get to me," Wassabi explained. "So I looked up how to get used to that, because everybody says you can't.

"So I've been cornering so many fights for my friends over the past few months, professional fights for them or their friends.

"I'm asking people to let me wipe down their gloves and fix their hair because I want to experience of what it's like being in there.

"I want this to be a good fight, I would rather win a decision than win by first round knockout because I want it to be an epic battle - this is my first fight!

"I don't want to just win, I guess that would be cool, but I want this to be something I earned, so if he mentally sabotages himself it's going to be a tough victory for me."

Tickets are on sale now at showstarboxing.com and via AXS for Showstar Boxing 2022, which will also feature Faze Temperr, King Kenny, Vitaly, Kristen Hanby, Armz Korleone and musician Minikon.

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