KSI vs Tommy Fury attracts huge interest but divides opinions
Pro boxer Tommy Fury edged Youtuber KSI on points
In front of 20,000 live spectators in Manchester's AO Arena last night, unbeaten professional boxer Tommy Fury (10-0, 4KO) just about outpointed social media star KSI (1-1) in a messy exhibition bout where neither man managed a single, meaningful punch. One judge scored it 57-57 and the other two 57-56 to Fury, although the latter was subject to a points deduction, making the result that bit closer.
The crossover event attracted huge interest and views, and is all anyone on social media is talking about today. To put it into perspective, there were double the fans in attendance to watch a 9-0 boxer versus a Youtuber than there was last weekend at the Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington WBA World featherweight title fight, which was a fight of the year contender.
BBN asked their panel of experts for their views on the entire event:
Chris Eubank Jr.Two-time IBO World champion
"I thought JJ [KSI] won, that's all I can say. Listen, I thought he surprised everybody, because as a guy who has only been boxing for four years to get in there and be competitive, and even win, or be in a fight where people say he's won against a guy whose supposed to have been doing this his whole life is impressive, man.
"I think it deserves a rematch because it's not conclusive, so let them fight again."
Dave Coldwell Boxing trainer
"Tommy Fury isn’t a world class boxer. He’s not even top of the domestic scene. KSI isn’t anywhere near a top level boxer It’s two high profile novice boxers having a fight! Take it for what it is!"
Carl FrochFormer World super-middleweight champion
"Pair of absolute idiots! I've never seen so much sh*t in my life!"
Glyn RhodesMBE Boxing trainer
"Can’t say much more than what a joke all round.
"Yes, they made lots of money, but can’t see it being good for our sport."
Tim RicksonBBN Editor
"I'm not a fan of Misfits, I certainly didn't watch. When I caught the highlights the next morning, I wasn't impressed at all; I mean, it was farcical really. It's a circus, not a boxing event, filled with clowns desperate for attention and money. I have no issue with these Youtubers staging their own boxing events, but the sport of professional boxing gets dragged down with it. These fights aren't sanctioned by the BBBofC, so everyone needs to stop calling it boxing. However, it's hard to differentiate the two when you have active professional boxers taking part in it.
"But my biggest issue is when KSI and Jake Paul mention fighting Canelo and Dmitrii Bivol. That, to me, is so annoying and disrespectful. I also do not like the antics at the media events, but, again, there's pro boxers contributing to that too. John Fury throwing tables and punching glass, it's just dragging boxing down and I really don't like it. The BBBofC might need to make a new ruling because Misfits is actively dragging boxing through the mud.
"In terms of the fight, KSI was awkward and spoiling, but for an unbeaten pro with a limited but successful amateur background, that was pretty poor from Tommy Fury. Six rounds isn't a long time, but Fury should have been able to adapt to his opponent to get his shots to land, instead I don't think he landed a single right hand and kept spoiling his work. Just step back, give yourself room to work and be more accurate and clinical.
"Fury has ambitions to become a world champion, but that looks like an unrealisitic goal right now. He's still young, 24, and now 10-0, so perhaps a fight with Ricky Reeves next for his Central Area title would be a good test to see where he's at. Reeves is 6-1 with only two KOs, so he isn't the riskiest opponent, but that one loss was in a BOXXER final with Ellis Zorro, so there's no shame losing to him, plus I always say that losing in a prizefighter-style tournament over three rounds doesn't really count as a proper loss, to me.
"Dan Azeez was 9-0 when he won the Southern Area light-heavyweight title, so Tommy should make a bid for that level now, then work his way up from there. If he wins the Central Area, then I would instantly give him respect and follow his career with interest. However, I can see him being matched carefully with international opponents, being handed a WBO Inter-Continental title shot, for example, and working his way up the world rankings that way."
Matt MarshFormer British super-bantamweight champion
"So Tommy Fury just won against a Youtuber! Lol."
Danny ConnorFormer Southern Area champion
"Tommy Fury is not Tyson Fury, he was an average amateur boxer, he's a novice pro and, to be honest, is probably fighting better boxers early in his career on Misfits than he would do at pro level.
"I’d rather see Fury vs KSI than Fury vs 'Vladimir Boxolokiogivsky' at York Hall with a 7-9 record made up completely in school gymnasiums in Bulgaria, Romania and Poland! KSI ain’t sh*t, he’s another novice pro; the difference is that these lads are making the bag, earning massive dough doing it, whereas lads like myself would have too knock our boll*cks out begging people too buy tickets so we could earn £800.
"Don’t judge Tommy by the same book as Tyson because they ain’t the same, even though they have the same name, KSI and Tommy are just inexperienced novices earning mega money, fair play to them I wish I could have done the same, I wouldn’t be grafting my boll*cks off on a building site that’s for sure!"
Ace AdamUnbeaten light-heavyweight
"The Tommy and KSI show undeniably succeeded in attracting a fresh audience to the world of boxing, individuals who may not have previously shown interest in the sport. While it successfully piqued the curiosity of many, the fight itself didn't quite meet the lofty expectations that fans had built up. As a result, it left some supporters feeling disappointed, especially considering the financial investment they had made.
"With Tommy Fury's status as a world champion in a different discipline, it's intriguing to see how he'll transition into traditional boxing, facing opponents who have honed their craft over years of training and experience. The journey ahead won't be easy, as boxing is a rigorous and demanding sport. However, we can only wish Tommy the best of luck as he steps into this new chapter of his career, hoping that he can prove himself in the world of professional boxing."
AWUREDOTwitter User
"I went back and rewatched KSI's fight vs Tommy Fury. He managed to average 76 hugs in TOTAL. Which adds up to an average of 13 hugs per round which is unheard of in any combat sports and is an OFFICIAL WORLD RECORD. The future is bright if he decides to become a professional cuddler."
Sergio MichelMusician & boxing superfan
"KSI vs Tommy Fury ended in the correct result. Tommy was being effectively aggressive and landed clean, scoring shots. KSI has no place in a professional boxing ring, and I believe last night's Misfits card put the death nell on this promotion. Thought there are many colorful stand outs worth watching for entertainment value, the sheer disrespect of Boxing's rules and code throughout their company culture is too much. There is just too much immaturity and clowning around for any of these competitors to be taken seriously. The announcers and broadcasting staff are beyond unqualified for instance. Yes, Tommy should eventually win a world title, but he has to become more aggressive and move up in competition quality."
Uros Djikanovic Boxing manager & advisor
"I think the fight was interesting. It was not the type of fight fans expected, but I really don’t know what the fans expected from influencers. Certainly they were not going to get Thrilla in Manila.
"Both fighters are not compatible to fight each other. They have totally different styles, so in my opinion the biggest problem was bad matchmaking. I don’t think Misfits Boxing is either good or bad for boxing. But it certainly is interesting for some people to watch.
"I don’t know if Tommy Fury can become the world champion. That’s just a big stretch. After what he showed us in the last two fights I don’t think so. He has a long way to go. Maybe he can win an IBO world title in three to four years if he puts in the effort. But any other title, I don’t think so."
Chris Glover Unbeaten lightweight
"It’s bizarre really. It’s not boxing, it’s a cash grab that’s gone too far now.
"Someone will get hurt on it, they’re all visibly juicing. The only one I have any form of time for is Slim. He’s always trained like a real boxer and never really talked nonsense about fighting real pros.
"KSI is an embarrassment, and really sums up the issues in the kids now, a spoiled brat that isn’t any good at boxing, and cry’s when it doesn’t go his way. Clown.
"Tommy Fury probably trained for two weeks, likely didn’t spar and got told “just don’t lose”.
"On a personal note, I’ve spent 6 months of this year in the pub, been back in the gym 4 weeks and technically I’m better than anyone on that misfits crap. I’m 2-0 as a pro officially, but I’m not very good, and from a technical standpoint I’d wipe the floor with all of them.
"Our kids shouldn’t grow up thinking that’s boxing, and the parents who expose the kids to these idiots needs investigating by social services."
Fury edges Youtuber KSI in six-round snoozefest
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