KSI vs Joe Fournier fight verdict and suggested bets
- Matty Briggs
- 9 May 2023
KSI will attempt to do what Jake Paul failed to do and beat a professional boxer when the YouTuber takes to the ring to fight Joe Fournier at Wembley Arena on Saturday.
Date, start time and venue
Saturday, May 13, OVO Wembley Arena, six rounds at cruiserweight, start time 7pm, ring walks for main fight at 10.15pm, live on DAZN PPV and YouTube.
Suggested bet
Fournier to beat KSI
Fournier to win by KO/TKO
Undercard
Deji Olatunji vs Swarmz
Salt Papi vs Anthony Taylor
Tennessee Thresh vs Paigey Cakey
Viruzz vs DK Money
Lil Bellsy vs Lil Kymchii
Wings of Redemption vs Boogie2988
Corn vs Unbaer
Luis Nestor vs Archie
KSI vs Fournier fight preview
Jake Paul was beaten by pro Tommy Fury in February via split decision and KSI will be aiming for a better outcome against veteran businessman Joe Fournier.
KSI said: "I can't wait to show the world what Jake Paul couldn't, knock out a pro boxer.
"Each fight, people are seeing a better KSI and I'm honestly scared for Fournier because once I land my right or left hand on his chin, it's night night.
"As soon as people enter the ring with me, they realise they are in hell. And they either leave the ring bruised, battered or sleeping. In the ring, I am an evil man."
There is no doubt that KSI is focused on a match-up with fellow YouTuber Jake Paul, which his promoter Kalle Sauerland says "would fill any stadium in the world."
KSI has Jake Paul on his mind
KSI though, who is the CEO of Misfits Boxing and the co-owner of Prime, first has to get past 40-year-old Fournier. However, even a defeat against Londoner Fournier (9-0) will still likely see KSI face off with Jake Paul later in the year.
With that in mind, it would be no surprise if KSI took his eye off the ball against the unbeaten Fournier, who last fought in an exhibition with David Haye in September 2021.
Haye won that eight-round 'contest' of two minutes apiece 79-73, 79-72, and 80-71 on the scorecards, but not before he put Fournier down in the first round with a jab. After that Haye made sure he did not throw anything of any note at Fournier and the pair embraced at the bell.
This should be more competitive and Fournier is convinced that he still has enough left in the tank to see off KSI (5-0-1).
Fournier said: "This is huge, it's as big as it gets, it's on DAZN pay-per-view at Wembley, against one of the biggest global superstars, not just in boxing.
"But I am going to break a lot of little hearts when they see KSI unconscious on the canvas.
"This is way too soon to fight me, but the deal is done, and just like Jake Paul, he will find out that when he gets into the ring with a real boxer, it's a whole different ball game. He is in for a rude awakening."
Fournier's last professional fight was on Jake Paul's undercard in April 2021, when he beat Joe Andres Felipe Robledo Londono in two rounds.
The Colombian, who has only had one professional bout, was little more than a punchbag for Fournier, who easily disposed of him.
Is Fournier rusty?
But that was some time ago and it's unclear exactly what sort of shape Fournier is in, but what is for sure is that he will be ring rusty.
The 29-year-old KSI is more than 10 years his junior and looks in terrific shape. He made his boxing return last August after almost three years on from his two-fight series against Logan Paul, which produced a victory and a draw.
He defeated pro Luis Pineda and rapper Swarmz in a 'two fights in one night event' in August 2022 and was last in action when he flattened FaZe Temperrr with a right-left combination in round one in January.
Fournier has more about him though than Brazilian gamer Temperrr, although the majority of his wins have come against nobodies in the Dominican Republic.
He won the vacant WBA International light-heavyweight title, beating Wilmer Mejia in December 2018, and moved up to number 11 in the rankings and this is a definite step up for KSI.
KSI vs Fournier verdict
Fournier does carry stopping power, winning all nine of his fights by knockout. And if he can land his straight right hand clean on KSI then the younger man will know all about boxing at this level.
Fournier, who has seen his career curtailed by injury, is obviously limited though or else he would have been more active in his eight-year career. His movement often comes in straight lines and he will look to get to KSI with combinations down the middle.
KSI is the favourite and he will go looking for the knockout blow which will make the headlines. And the social media star has been explosive in recent contests although finesse has not been his strong point.
It looks like being a slugfest with both fighters looking to get the fight over and done with, but Fournier who started boxing in 2015, might just have enough left in him, as long as that's allowed to happen in the script.
