KSI vs Joe Fournier

MF & DAZN: X Series 007 featured KSI vs Joe Fournier, which was a cruiserweight MF–professional crossover boxing match contested between English YouTuber KSI and English businessman and professional boxer Joe Fournier for the MFB cruiserweight title. The bout took place at Wembley Arena, in London, England on 13 May 2023.[4] The fight reportedly sold 300,000 PPV buys.[5]

MF & DAZN: X Series 007
Date13 May 2023
VenueWembley Arena, London, England
Title(s) on the lineMFB cruiserweight championship
Tale of the tape
Boxer KSI Joe Fournier
Nickname The Nightmare The Billionaire
Hometown Watford, England Hounslow, England
Pre-fight record 4–0 (3 KOs)[lower-alpha 1] 9–0–0–1 (9 KOs)
Height 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[1] 6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)[2]
Weight 177.6 lb (81 kg) 179+1⁄2 lb (81 kg)
Style Orthodox Orthodox
Recognition MFB cruiserweight champion Former WBA International light-heavyweight champion
Result
KSI vs Fournier ended in a No Contest.[3]

Background

On 4 October 2022, Joe Fournier posted a video onto his Instagram page calling out Jake Paul, Logan Paul and KSI for not fighting 'real boxers'.[‡ 1] KSI opted with choosing MMA fighter Dillon Danis as his opponent for MF & DAZN: X Series 004.[6] Fournier however, was scheduled to face Tony Christodoulou on the undercard with Fournier acting as the replacement fighter in the case that Danis were to withdraw.[7] Unfortunately, Christodoulou failed an MRI scan thus canceling Fournier's bout on 14 January. On 4 January, Danis withdrew from the bout and was replaced by YouTuber FaZe Temperrr instead of Fournier due to Temperrr being a southpaw.[8] After KSI defeated Temperrrr, he and Fournier shared a stare down after the pair verbally agreeing to face each other in May.[9]

On 22 March, it was announced that KSI would face Fournier on 13 May at Wembley Arena in London, England.[4] KSI defeated Fournier via KO in the 2nd round but was later overturned as a no contest after review shows KSI striking Fournier with his elbow.[10][11]

Card

The card was headlined by KSI vs Joe Fournier with Deji Olatunji vs Swarmz as the co-feature. The undercard consisted of Salt Papi vs Anthony Taylor, Tennessee Thresh vs Paigey Cakey, ViruZz vs DK Money and Little Bellsy vs Lil Kymchii.

The preliminary card was run by Keemstar's Happy Punch Promotions which featured WingsOfRedemption vs Boogie2988, Luis Nestor vs Callum King, Corn vs Unbaer, and Zuckles vs a mystery opponent, who was later revealed to be Halal Ham.

Controversies

KSI–Fournier elbow knockout

During the second round, KSI threw a right hook that missed, causing his elbow to strike Fournier, knocking him unconscious.[10] After the bout concluded, Fournier stated that he will appeal the decision.[12] On 15 May, the Professional Boxing Association (PBA) called for both fighters to make their cases and will be conducting a review with a decision to be made by 19 May at the latest.[13] On 19 May, the PBA officially overturned the victory and was ruled as a no contest.[3]

ViruZz illegal substance

On 4 August, it was announced that after an investigation conducted by the PBA, Spanish YouTuber ViruZz had tested positive for illegal substance use.[14]After a complete investigation by The PBA, 10x the amount of testosterone was found in his body. On the 7th of August, the PBA announced that ViruZz has received a two year suspension and will be fined £8,000. The bout was overturned and was ruled as a no contest.[15]

Fight card
Weight class vs Method Round Time Notes
Main Card (PPV)
Cruiserweight KSI (c) vs. Joe Fournier NC 2/6 1:26 Note 1
Light heavyweight Deji Olatunji def. Swarmz UD 4
Cruiserweight Anthony Taylor def. Salt Papi UD 3
Super bantamweight Paigey Cakey def. Tennessee Thresh UD 3 Note 2
Cruiserweight ViruZz vs. DK Money NC 2/4 2:59 Note 3
Super bantamweight Little Bellsy def. Lil Kymchii UD 4 Note 4
Happy Punch Preliminary Card
Heavyweight WingsOfRedemption def. Boogie2988 TKO 2/3 0:29 Note 5, 6
Welterweight Unbaer def. Corn SD 3 Note 7
Heavyweight Luis Nestor def. Callum King UD 3 Note 8
Light heavyweight Halal Ham def. Zuckles UD 3 Note 9, 10

[lower-alpha 2]

^Note 1 For MFB cruiserweight title
^Note 2 Cakey and Thresh's professional debut
^Note 3 ViruZz's professional debut
^Note 4 Bellsy and Kymchii's professional debut
^Note 5 1 minute rounds
^Note 6 Exhibition bout
^Note 7 Exhibition bout
^Note 8 Exhibition bout
^Note 9 Exhibition bout
^Note 10 Ham's identity was revealed on the night and was marketed as a mystery opponent

Broadcasting
Country/Region Broadcasters
Free Cable TV PPV Stream
United Kingdom (Host) YouTube
(Preliminary Card)		 — DAZN PPV
United States —
Canada —
Ireland —
Australia —
New Zealand —
Netherlands —
Mexico —
Brazil —
France —
Sweden —
Norway —
Finland —
Denmark —
Worldwide — — DAZN

Notes
  1. On BoxRec, KSI's professional record is 1–0 and his MF-professional record is 3–0 (3 KOs).[1]
  2. Luis Nestor was originally scheduled to face Archie King but witdrew after King failed an MRI scan.[‡ 2]

See also

References
  1. "BoxRec: Olajide William Olatunji". BoxRec. Archived from the original on 31 May 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2022.
  2. "BoxRec: Joe Fournier". BoxRec. Retrieved 10 March 2023.
  3. "KSI win over Fournier overturned... fight ruled 'No Contest'". TMZ. 19 May 2023.
  4. DAZN (22 March 2023). "KSI vs. Joe Fournier headlines MF & DAZN: X Series 007 in May". DAZN.
  5. "Tommy Fury BEATS KSI!" 🔥 Gareth A.Davies & Ade Oladipo preview KSI v TOMMY FURY!, retrieved 2023-05-17
  6. "KSI vs. Dillon Danis boxing match to take place Jan. 14 in London". MMA Junkie. 2022-11-20. Retrieved 2022-11-20.
  7. Robson, Shay (17 December 2022). "Joe Fournier ready to fight KSI if Danis pulls out of 2023 bout". Dexerto.
  8. Corby, Donagh (13 January 2023). "EXCLUSIVE: KSI explains why he chose FaZe Temperrr to replace Dillon Danis". Mirror Fighting.
  9. Sky Sports (15 January 2023). "KSI reiterated his desire to fight Jake Paul after a knock-out victory over FaZe Temperrr at Wembley Arena, although looks set to take on Joe Fournier ahead of any potential clash". Sky Sports.
  10. "Controversy erupts as YouTube star KSI knocks out professional boxer Joe Fournier with illegal elbow". Fox Sports. 13 May 2023.
  11. Happy Punch (19 May 2023). "KSI vs Joe Fournier has been overturned to a 'No Decision' by the PBA". Twitter.
  12. "Joe Fournier blasts KSI, Misfits Boxing, plans to appeal 'disgusting' knockout call". MMA Fighting. 13 May 2023.
  13. Benson, Michael (15 May 2023). "Joe Fournier officially appeals KSI elbow knockout as PBA commission confirm they will conduct review". TalkSport.
  14. Glaze, Virginia (4 August 2023). "ViruZz allegedly used steroids to win bout against DK Money". Dexerto.
  15. Ayora, Víctor (7 August 2023). "ViruZz, sancionado dos años y a una multa de 8000 libras por dopaje". eSports.

Primary sources

In the text these references are preceded by a double dagger (‡):

  1. Fournier, Joe (4 October 2022). "I've been sitting down watching all this nonsense with this YOUTUBE boxing". Instagram.
  2. King, Archie (4 October 2022). "Fight isn't happening on Saturday". Twitter.
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