The long-anticipated boxing match between YouTube stars KSI and Jake Paul appears increasingly unlikely to happen, according to KSI’s promoter, Mams Taylor. Despite years of public interest and several negotiation attempts, the two influencers seem further away from settling their rivalry in the ring than ever before.
Six Years in the Making
The saga began in 2018 when KSI called out Jake Paul after his victory over Joe Weller. Since then, both YouTube personalities have repeatedly expressed their desire to face each other in the ring. However, despite numerous attempts to finalize the match, negotiations have repeatedly broken down.
Failed Negotiations and Weight Disputes
Taylor revealed that a verbal agreement was initially reached for the fight to occur at 175lbs, later adjusted to 180lbs. However, the deal fell apart after Jake Paul’s loss to Tommy Fury. Instead of fighting KSI, Paul chose to face Nate Diaz, leaving Taylor and KSI perplexed.
“I publicly tweeted that I am willing to put my ego aside to facilitate this deal,” Taylor told talkSPORT.com. “Jake wanted it; he agreed to 175lbs initially, then we agreed on a verbal deal at 180lbs. Everything was set with details to follow, but after Jake lost to Tommy, he decided to fight Nate Diaz instead.”
In recent discussions, Paul proposed a fight at 185lbs, a weight Taylor and KSI were willing to consider, despite it being challenging for KSI. However, no agreement has been reached, with Taylor insisting that KSI will not yield to all of Paul’s demands.
Missed Opportunities and New Challenges
In 2022, there was an agreement for the fight to take place at Wembley Stadium in 2023. However, this plan also fell through as Paul shifted his focus to other opponents, including Nate Diaz, Andre August, and Ryan Bourland, aiming to establish himself as a world champion.
Paul’s current weight, comfortably above 200lbs, presents another significant obstacle. Taylor emphasized that KSI would not agree to fight at a weight that gives Paul a clear advantage.
“We will not succumb to all of their demands,” Taylor asserted. “KSI doesn’t need to fight Jake Paul, and we won’t agree to stipulations that give Jake an advantage.”
Doubts About the Fight’s Future
Taylor believes that Paul’s side is responsible for the ongoing delays. He suspects that Paul may be avoiding the fight to protect his own image.
“I genuinely believe they don’t want the KSI fight because I think KSI exposes Jake,” Taylor stated. “KSI would be Jake Paul’s kryptonite, and there is no way Jake Paul beats him.”
Recent attempts to revive the negotiations have also failed. Paul offered KSI a fight at 200lbs, a challenge that KSI declined due to the short notice and significant weight difference. KSI countered with an offer to fight at 185lbs in the United States, but this too has not materialized into concrete talks.
Conclusion
With both sides at an impasse and no new negotiations on the horizon, the chances of KSI and Jake Paul finally clashing in the boxing ring appear to be diminishing. Taylor remains skeptical about the fight ever happening, citing radio silence from Paul’s camp despite multiple attempts to reach a compromise.
As the YouTube boxing scene continues to evolve, fans may have to accept that this much-hyped showdown might never come to fruition, leaving the rivalry between KSI and Jake Paul unresolved.
