In the run-up to his rematch in the ring against fellow YouTuber Logan Paul, Olajide ‘KSI’ Olatunji has revealed that he’s received help from a four-weight boxing world champion to avoid a similar result to their first match.
KSI and Logan Paul’s first bout, which took place in Manchester, England on August 25, 2018, was an amateur match, complete with headguards, that went the distance, culminating in a six-round majority draw.
The tie was immediately disputed by fans of each boxer worldwide, with many believing that the fight should have gone either way. But it was only moments after the match that both fighters appealed for a rematch to prove who the rightful winner is, with KSI vs. Logan Paul 2 being fought as a professional match at LA’s Staples Center.
Just three weeks before the rematch is due to take place, boxing YouTube channel The Mayweather Channel spoke with KSI about his upcoming fight and the training he’s receiving, before the camera panned and the Brit revealed legendary Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire had shown up to give him some tips.
“He just came through and told me some gems,” KSI said. “This is why I love coming to places like this, because there’s nothing like it. You just have world champions come through and say ‘why don’t you try this, why don’t you do that?’ One small thing has improved my boxing IQ tremendously.”
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When asked what it means to have people like Eddie Hearn, Jeff Mayweather and Donaire behind him, KSI said that it “means the world to him,” but all that matters is performing in the ring.
Though KSI didn’t reveal the gems that Donaire had given him, having the help of a four-time World Champion isn’t something to scoff at; it could be the difference between a win and a loss on the night.
KSI vs. Logan Paul 2 is set to take place on November 9, 2019, in Los Angeles, with a number of as-yet-unannounced fights on the undercard to prelude the main event. It’s been heavily rumored that another YouTube match between AnEsonGib and Jake Paul will take place, while boxers such as Billy Joe Saunders and Devin Haney are confirmed to be fighting on the night.
Opponent Logan Paul faced some trouble at the London Press Conference, being threatened with “acid and knives” as well as coming under fire due to his comments about abortion.