Rapper KSI big favourite to dispatch Mexican pro boxer Pineda
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KSI fights two opponents on same night
Rapper and YouTuber KSI is back in boxing action this weekend three years after his last fight – and it promises to be a busy night for him and his family!
The 29-year-old from Watford has lined up not just one but two bouts at the O2 Arena on Saturday night and his brother Deji is also on the KSI boxing card.
The KSI fights are being streamed live by DAZN and we have boxing odds on the main event, so what’s the deal with this major influencer?
Who is KSI boxing?
KSI starts his evening by fighting fellow rapper Swarmz in a warm-up and as long as he avoids injury will take on pro boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda a few hours later.
It’s been quite a battle just to get KSI in the ring at all, never mind fighting two opponents on the same evening.
KSI, whose last fight was a scrappy split-decision win against Logan Paul in 2019, was originally meant to face Alex Wassabi, who had beaten his kid brother in March.
I’m ready. 2 fights in 1 night baby https://t.co/JIXP8IZqbV
— ksi (@KSI) August 24, 2022
But any chance of avenging Deji’s defeat ended when the American was forced to pull out of the fight with injury, so Swarmz stepped in as his replacement and will make his boxing debut on Saturday.
A second opponent was then found for the ‘2 Fights, 1 Night’ but Ivan Nikolov did not last too long after neo-Nazi tattoos displayed on his torso at a football match in his native Bulgaria caused a massive public outcry from fans.
KSI said on his YouTube channel: “He’s a white supremacist. Ivan isn’t my opponent anymore. He has been removed. The matchmaker also got fired for allowing this to happen in the first place. But yes, my new opponent is Luis Alcaraz Pineda.”
So, the scene is set for Saturday’s double header for KSI, whose 2020 debut album Dissimulation went to number two in the album chart.
Who is KSI’s boxing trainer?
KSI was originally coached by his pal Viddal Riley, cousin of grime artist Wretch 32, but with a perfect 6-0 record as a cruiserweight, the YouTuber and rapper is now focusing on his own career.
MENS HEALTH COVER BABY @MensHealthUK pic.twitter.com/7iPHI69acg
— ksi (@KSI) August 24, 2022
That resulted in a switch of gym, with KSI’s conditioning coach Leon Will revealing the new man in his corner is Alexis Demetriades.
His preparations have been going really well and he looks in great physical shape ahead of Saturday’s bouts.
How to bet on the KSI fight
Ladbrokes have boxing odds for the big night and KSI is a heavy 1/4 favourite to beat Pineda, who has a 2-5 record as a pro and is 7/2 to cause an upset. A draw or technical draw is priced at 12/1 in the boxing betting.
KSI fights info
Where: London’s O2 Arena
When: August 27th
Who is KSI fighting? Swarmz at 7.10pm and Pinada at 10pm
How to watch: DAZN PPV
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
