KSI may forego a slugfest with YouTube rival Jake Paul in hopes of pursuing his conqueror Tommy Fury. KSI, real name JJ Olatunji, has succeeded in his return to the ring, defeating Luis Pineda, Swarmz, and FaZe Temperrr. It seemed like he now had the sole goal of resolving his rivalry with Paul.
However, the prospect of this grudge bout appeared to have dampened slightly after Paul lost his first professional fight to Fury in Saudi Arabia last month. Furthermore, Jake Paul has been dropping hints of not going ahead with the match, saying “he is already losing interest.”
In the anticipation leading to this speculated fight, KSI stated that if he advanced past ‘The Problem Child’, he would be willing to face the ex-Love Island star. And, in his most public declaration of his intentions to date, he expressed his desire to fight ‘TNT’ as soon as he was done with a professional boxer.
At this point, after I beat a pro boxer on May 13th, I’m gonna go straight for Tommy Fury.
Jake Paul is being long with negotiations.
— ksi (@KSI) March 12, 2023
Why KSI claims the negotiations have broken down
On two separate occasions, KSI and Jake Paul previously had verbally agreed to a deal with the complete purse going to the victor. However, negotiations gradually took a wrong turn behind closed doors.
The coveted bout between KSI and Jake was originally scheduled for the end of the year. The younger Paul brother, on the other hand, might opt for a different path route. He will likely activate his rematch clause with Tommy Fury. The rematch may take place sometime around July this year.
Jake’s antics have put a dent in KSI’s plan to make a comeback. KSI wanted to make a return to the ring for the first time this spring. He is getting his wishes served by possibly fighting with professional boxer Joe Fournier. Even though nothing has been confirmed yet, Fournier seems to be the front-runner to fight KSI.
Tommy Fury responds positively to a possible fight with KSI
KSI has stated his desire to face Fury multiple times. The Youtuber wanted a shot at the former Love Island star. He not only mentioned him after defeating FaZe Temperrr in January, but he also took a dig at the pro boxer following Paul vs. Fury on February 26.
On the other hand, Tommy Fury has already stated that he would gladly accept a fight with KSI. ‘TNT’ implied that Olatunji isn’t nearly as talented as Jake. Fury’s underestimation may even spark the hopes of the fight to go won. He previously claimed that the fight would be a smooth sail for him. On the contrary, KSI will look to show Fury otherwise.
It remains to be seen which fight is going to take place ultimately. A verbal agreement is one thing and penning down a contract is a far more complicated endeavor. Paul looks to break the sanctity of the verbal pact. And the same might happen for Tommy Fury. However, KSI will be hoping that Fury does not reenact what Jake did.
