Olajide Olatunji, the digital creator widely known as KSI, has officially terminated his professional boxing career, ending years of speculation regarding a potential showdown with Jake Paul. The Misfits Boxing founder confirmed his permanent departure from the ring during a recent media appearance, signaling the conclusion of an era that redefined the intersection of social media and combat sports.
Despite the immense financial incentive of a clash with Paul, the British superstar cited the extreme physical and psychological toll of elite-level training as the primary reason for his decision to walk away from the squared circle.
KSI transformed the landscape of sports entertainment in 2018 when his debut against Logan Paul generated over one million pay-per-view sales, a feat that catalyzed the rise of the influencer boxing sub-industry. He later expanded his influence by establishing Misfits Boxing, a promotional organization that provided a competitive stage for fellow YouTubers and internet personalities. However, following an intensive five-fight campaign between 2022 and 2023, which left him with a record of three wins, one defeat, and one draw, the multi-talented entrepreneur admitted that his passion for the sport had completely evaporated.
“I’d say the training, how physically and mentally draining it is, it’s just like nothing else,” KSI remarked during his appearance on The Ranveer Show, as reported by Yahoo News.
The London-born star elaborated on the grueling nature of his preparation camps, describing a level of exhaustion that surpassed any other venture in his diverse portfolio, which includes music and business. He emphasized that the repetitive nature of getting hit and the relentless demands of a training camp eventually became unsustainable. By the final stages of his recent camps, the mental burden of the sport had outweighed the competitive drive that initially pushed him to step into the ring against professional and amateur opponents alike.
“I’d say of everything I’ve done in my life, that is the hardest thing … By the seventh or eighth week, you’re like, ‘Why am I doing this? I hate this. This is horrible. I’m getting beat up. I don’t even want to get up anymore,’” he explained.
This retirement effectively kills the most anticipated grudge match in the crossover boxing world. While fans had long hoped to see the two pioneers of the movement settle their differences in a sanctioned bout, KSI now shifts his full attention toward his music career and his expanding business empire, including the Prime Hydration brand. The announcement leaves Jake Paul searching for new opponents while the Misfits Boxing promotion continues to operate under new leadership as it seeks to maintain the momentum KSI helped generate.
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