YouTube star KSI was forced to stage his two fights tonight over three rounds in order for them to be professionally sanctioned.
KSI - real name JJ Olatunji - will lace up his gloves for the first time in over 1,000 days when he attempts to make history and beat his two opponents, Swarmz and Luis Alcaraz Pineda, all in one night at London's O2 arena. It will be KSI's second and third professional outings having defeated Logan Paul in their sanctioned rematch by split decision back in 2019.
KSI faced a great deal of criticism when he was initially just set to face musician Swarmz - real name Brendan Scott -, but later elected to add professional fighter Pineda who has a record of two victories and five defeats. However he has now responded to fresh criticism over the duration of his fights, tweeting: "I tried making both fights six rounds but the commission wouldn’t allow it.
"Mainly because I’m fighting two fights in one night lol. Even the fact of me fighting twice in one night was hard to clear. But here we are. Never done before in YouTube boxing." KSI later expanded on the rules confirming it was the decision of his trainers and managers to make the fights over just nine minutes each.
He explained on talkSPORT Drive : “I actually thought I would be fighting them back to back. I thought after the co-main event it would be me, I’d fight, I’d stay in the ring, and then have my next opponent come fight again. But my trainers and my manager were like, ‘That is not happening.’
“Each fight is three rounds each. I’m gonna be fighting first on the card and then last on the card. It’s very awkward if I lose to Swarmz in the first fight. I become a meme, everyone laughs. And then the co-main event becomes the main event, simple as that. But no, that’s not happening.”
Do you think KSI will beat both of his opponents tonight? Let us know in the comments section below
KSI was forced to take drastic measures to salvage the event after his original opponent Alex Wassabi withdrew from the main event after suffering concussion during his preparations. The original plan was for their fight to take place over six rounds but the event collapsed leaving KSI with his new two fights.
His bitter rival Jake Paul moved to criticise the length of the rounds on social media, tweeting: This can’t be real? Each 'fight' is three rounds? And he gets a three hour break in between. It’s way easier than one six-round fight. KSI & Minions Boxing doing the fans dirty with this fake s***. Mislead after mislead."
KSI responded again: "Was wondering when you were going to pipe up. You must be so sad and bored on your arse, having no event happening. Still fighting a pro boxer before you, and you had three-year head start. Plus how you gonna talk when you ain’t fought two people in one night?"
