
During a live-streamed press conference on May 11, YouTuber-turned-boxer KSI shoved his boxing opponent Joe Fournier. This incident occurred two days before their highly anticipated fight in the MF & DAZN: X Series 007 main event at OVO Arena Wembley in London.
Although there is no long-standing feud or animosity between the two, the real tension unfolded when they confronted each other face-to-face after the press conference. Initially, it was a typical nose-to-nose confrontation with a fiery verbal exchange.
However, things quickly escalated as they physically clashed, forcefully bumping heads before being separated by their security teams.
After the tension had settled, the rivals returned to the center stage to take photos. However, KSI forcefully shoved his opponent, sending him flying to the side.
The co-main event will feature a four-round light heavyweight fight between British rapper Swarmz and YouTuber Deji Olatunji. The card will have a three-round catchweight fight between Filipino-English-born internet personality Salt Papi and American boxer Anthony Taylor and a three-round cruiserweight fight between YouTube stars DK Money and ViruZz.
During the press conference, both main event fighters maintained that Saturday’s fight would culminate in a knockout.
“It’s okay to be afraid, I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I was going to knock him out… KSI, it’s okay to be afraid,” Fournier said.
“Yes, of course, I’m going to knock him out easy… I can’t wait to destroy you then, this Saturday bro,” the British YouTuber replied.
This match will be KSI’s second bout of the year, with plans for two more fights in 2023. He plans to face the winner of the ongoing Kingpyn tournament and take on either YouTuber Jake Paul or British boxer Tommy Fury.
In 2018, KSI engaged in his inaugural amateur boxing match against fellow British YouTuber Joe Weller, emerging victorious with a TKO in under three rounds. Before the fight, KSI had taunted his opponent by ridiculing his experiences with depression, but he later expressed remorse and offered an apology for his remarks.
Fournier, currently 40 years old, was a professional boxer with nine career wins and no losses. However, in 2021, he participated in an exhibition match against David Haye, which he lost.
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