KSI shares main retirement replace and signing simply earlier than Joey Essex boxing match
YouTube star and Misfits Boxing supremo KSI has officially retired from the ring following a three-year hiatus, vowing to focus on his business empire while taking one final punch
YouTube star KSI is reportedly retiring from boxing
YouTube star KSI is reportedly retiring from boxing, bringing an end to his ring career following a long hiatus. The 33-year-old internet star and Misfits Boxing “supremo” hasn’t stepped into the squared circle since suffering a controversial, narrow points loss to Tommy Fury in October 2023.
Despite stepping away as an active fighter, the digital creator and entrepreneur insists he is not turning his back on the sport, pledging to stay heavily involved as the executive mastermind behind his Misfits Boxing promotion.
Explaining his decision, KSI revealed he has achieved everything he set out to accomplish, having transformed influencer bout novelty into a multi-million-pound global business empire alongside promoters like Kalle Sauerland and streaming giant DAZN.
KSI and Tommy Fury at AO Arena on October 14, 2023(Image: Getty Images)
In an appearance on The Ranveer Show back in January, the Prime Hydration boss admitted the gruesome physical strain became too much, confessing: “By the seventh or eighth week, you’re like, ‘Why am I doing this? I hate this.
“This is horrible. I’m getting beat up.
“I don’t even want to get up anymore’. My body is starting to shut down because you’re just feeling sick… Mentally, you’re just cooked.”
Viddal Riley celebrates victory with his belts and KSI(Image: Getty Images)
He also took a parting shot at bitter arch-rival Jake Paul, repeatedly blasting the American for dodging him. Answering questions on his official retirement, KSI snapped: “f*** Jake Paul, f*** Jake Paul, f*** Jake Paul!”
He added: “My main goal when I got into the boxing ring again was to fight Jake Paul and build Misfits. I built Misfits, tried to fight Jake Paul time and time and time again, and it’s just excuse after excuse…
“He was just getting heavier and heavier, trying to move the goalposts. I’ve been offered $20 million to fight Jake Paul, $30 million (£22.9m) to fight Jake Paul.
“These guys can’t give me any amount of money to fight this guy. When it comes to boxing, I’m done.”
KSI will now reportedly shift his full energy into running Misfits, making music, and expanding Prime Hydration. His retirement marks the end of a groundbreaking ring stint that started back in 2018 with his viral white-collar clash against Joe Weller, followed by his pay-per-view blockbusters against Logan Paul.
Social media blew up after the news, with heartbroken fans rushing to pay tribute. One gutted follower posted “KSI just retired [heartbroken emoji]”, while another wrote: “I respect what KSI has built.”
Someone else penned: “I don’t usually watch it but he’s done well.”
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