KSI is well aware that his recent knockout victory will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
The popular YouTuber-turned-boxer seemed to achieve a stunning finish against Joe Fournier in the main event of Misfits Boxing 7 on Saturday, sending the enthusiastic London crowd at OVO Wembley Arena into a frenzy. However, upon closer examination through replays, it became evident that KSI's final strike was an elbow to Fournier's jaw, rather than a legal punch.
Despite the questionable nature of the blow, KSI was officially declared the winner by knockout at the 1:25 mark of Round 2. Nevertheless, the response on social media was swift, with numerous individuals pointing out the foul play. Both Fournier and KSI's rival, Jake Paul, have called for a thorough investigation into the matter and are pushing for the decision to be overturned.
Fournier expressed his disgust with the verdict, asserting that his team plans to appeal the decision, while Jake Paul also voiced his demand for the win to be nullified. On Sunday, KSI himself addressed the controversy, acknowledging that although he is still elated about the victory, its significance has been marred and "tarnished" by the controversy surrounding it.
“I worked very hard for this fight and had an intense and grueling camp,” KSI wrote on Twitter. “There’s no better feeling than being in that ring and having my hand raised in front of my loyal and amazing fans who I appreciate so much.
“Unfortunately the victory which was inevitable no matter what, is tarnished and I hate that. It sucks! After landing my overhand he was pretty much out on his feet and I went for a short right hook as Joe clinched me and fell into me. I landed that hook and my glove made contact but appears to have been followed by unintentional contact with my forearm. I’m gutted that it’s not as clean a win as I wanted and it feels like it diminishes my hard work with my trainers.
“Either way I hope you enjoyed the show and appreciate the support. Sorry to all the fans disappointed with it. No one is more so than me.”
In the second round of the bout, KSI had Joe Fournier in a precarious situation as he unleashed a powerful right hand that left Fournier in serious trouble. However, the subsequent blow that followed was undeniably an elbow rather than a punch. Regrettably for Fournier and to some extent for KSI as well, the illegal strike rendered Fournier unconscious on the canvas, making it impossible for the fight to proceed any further.
Shortly after KSI posted his response, Paul jumped on to Twitter to criticize the comments, accusing KSI of lying about any part of his glove making contact with Fournier just before the elbow connected.
Why you lying still? No part of your glove made contact with Joe’s face on that elbow. That was not a hook. That was straight up a right elbow to the jawbone. Good form but wrong sport.
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) May 14, 2023
Your whole promotion is sham. Bad look for the sport of boxing. Your “commission” PBA should… https://t.co/CmZPlN5AWi pic.twitter.com/by2HtAcrjZ
“Why you lying still?” Paul wrote. “No part of your glove made contact with Joe’s face on that elbow. That was not a hook. That was straight up a right elbow to the jawbone. Good form but wrong sport.
“Your whole promotion is sham. Bad look for the sport of boxing. Your ‘commission’ PBA should hold itself to a higher standard.
“I hope England Boxing starts to oversee this product and makes it safer for everyone.”
If the victory is upheld, it would mark KSI's fourth consecutive knockout in exhibition boxing matches. After the fight, KSI wasted no time in issuing a challenge to Tommy Fury, a renowned reality TV personality and professional boxer who happened to be present at the event.