YouTube sensation-turned-boxer, Olajide Olatunji, popularly known as KSI, has confirmed his retirement from boxing, ending years of speculation over a potential blockbuster showdown with long-time rival Jake Paul.
The British entertainer, widely regarded as one of the trailblazers of influencer boxing, said the physical and mental toll of the sport ultimately drained his passion, despite lucrative offers and global attention.
KSI first captured the boxing world’s attention in 2018 after his highly publicised bout with Logan Paul, a contest that reportedly drew more than one million pay-per-view buys and helped usher influencer boxing into the mainstream. He later co-founded Misfits Boxing, a promotion that created opportunities for content creators and social media personalities to step into the ring.
However, following a five-fight spell between 2022 and 2023, which ended with a 3-1-1 record, Olatunji said his enthusiasm for boxing waned.
Speaking on The Ranveer Show, KSI described the gruelling nature of training camps, admitting that the demands were unlike anything he had experienced before.
According to him, the repetitive grind of preparation, coupled with the physical punishment, left him questioning his commitment to the sport. He added that by the later weeks of training, both his body and mind were stretched to breaking point, describing the experience as exhausting and demoralising.
Beyond the physical strain, KSI highlighted the psychological pressure that comes with elite competition, noting that the emotional swing between victory and defeat was extreme. While winning brought euphoria, he said losing felt like a complete waste of time after weeks of intense sacrifice.
On the much-anticipated Jake Paul fight, KSI revealed that although tens of millions of dollars were offered to make the bout happen, negotiations repeatedly collapsed. He accused Paul of shifting goalposts, particularly around weight requirements, which eventually convinced him to walk away.
Olatunji said his original motivation for returning to boxing was to fight Jake Paul and grow Misfits Boxing, but persistent excuses and missed opportunities eroded his interest. He stressed that no financial incentive could persuade him to return to the ring.
Emphasising that money was never his driving force, KSI disclosed that earnings from previous fights, including his bout with Tommy Fury, were handed over entirely to his trainers.
With boxing now firmly behind him, KSI said he will focus on music, business and expanding his entertainment ventures.
Although the long-awaited clash with Jake Paul may never materialise, KSI’s impact on the rise and global acceptance of influencer boxing remains a defining chapter in the sport’s modern evolution.
