‘Best there was’ – Jake Paul deals KSI bitter blow with promotion company confirming retirement from influencer boxing
Jake Paul's promotional outfit has confirmed that 'The Problem Child' is retired from fighting influencers.
Paul kicked off his boxing career by stopping content creators Deji Olatunji and AnEsonGib in a pair of influencer fights.
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However, he has since moved on to the professional boxing ranks and has left influencer boxing in the past for good.
"Flashback Friday to when Jake Paul was an influencer boxer. 2 fights, 2-0, 2KOs," Most Valuable Promotions captioned a photo of Paul and AnEsonGib fighting on Instagram, which was liked by the man himself.
"The best there was, is and ever will be. Jake Paul is RETIRED from that sport.
"They need him, he doesn’t need them… hence why they said his name 400 times this past week.
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"Gib is the current best in that sport."
The only influencer boxing match left for Paul to compete in is one with bitter rival KSI, but MVP's latest post essentially slams the door shut on that fight.
Both men have been on a collision course since Paul beat KSI's brother Deji in 2018.
However, they have been unable to get the fight off the negotiation table as of yet.
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The main sticking point appears to be the weight.
KSI operates at a 185lbs catchweight while Paul is a full-blown cruiserweight (200lbs) and recently tipped the scales at 227.2lbs for a professional heavyweight clash with Tyson.
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Paul made an offer to KSI to replace Mike Tyson after their initial fight in July was postponed.
However, KSI was unable to accept as he already had a two versus one bout set up for the following month.
KSI's promoter Mams Taylor told marvelbet369.com earlier in 2024 that the fight may never happen and that may be the case if MVP's recent social media post is anything to go by.
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"I publicly tweeted that I am willing to put my ego with [Paul's promoter] Nakisa [Bidarian] aside and facilitate this deal," Taylor said in June.
"Jake wanted it he agreed to 175lbs initially, then we agreed a verbal deal at 180lbs. Everything was agreed with details to come, and then Jake lost to Tommy.
"He then decided to fight Nate Diaz instead and not fight KSI. I'm still a bit confused about it.
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"I text Nakisa and said 'Dude ceasefire, and said let's make this fight happen for the people for part of their legacy.'
"I said, 'Let's do it at 185lbs,' which is what Jake proposed in January. 183lbs is tough for KSI, but it just isn't happening.
"We will not be succumbing to all of their demands, and he isn't a fighter who needs to fight Jake Paul.
"So we won't give up weight and agree to stipulations that give Jake an advantage.
"We won't be trodden on, neither fighter needs each other and I think Jake is continuing to milk his facade of wanting to become a world champion."
Paul recently defeated a 58-year-old Tyson in a highly controversial pro bout, but insists he now wants to go down the traditional boxing route and get himself into a position to challenge for a cruiserweight world title.
His record stands at 11-1, and he's already turned down the chance to face Daniel Dubois.
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Paul has also been called out by the unified light-heavyweight champion of the world, Artur Beterbiev.
Again, that one isn't happening, but it's clear that some of the best boxers all want to have a go at Paul.
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