KSI has completed the stunning rise from a teenage gamer in his bedroom to multimillionaire superstar – now he wants to give back.
The 29-year-old – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – started his YouTube channel in 2009.
KSI is one of the most popular YouTubers on the planet
KSI ahead of his next fight with Joe Fournier
And over a decade later, KSI has become a pioneer of the social media site, with over 40 MILLION subscribers.
His content creation has taken him into the world of movies, music and now boxing, earning him a reported net worth of around £20m.
But after making enough to cash one could ever wish for, KSI tells SunSport inspiring others is now his main focus.
In an exclusive interview, he said: “I think once I made a certain amount of money, I kind of got to the point where I was like, I’m happy, I’m comfortable, I can do whatever I want, I have that freedom.
“So it’s like, OK now that I’ve made a decent amount, why don’t I just do more with my legacy?
“Show the world that a boy who started in his bedroom can just become whatever he wants if he really puts his mind to something.
“And with that, I want to help more people, do more charity work, do more on the ground just to really help as many people as I can as well as making videos to entertain.
“As well as knocking people out and showing people that you can make something of your life, be healthy, be strong and just be a better person in general.
KSI has over 40m combined subscribers on YouTube
KSI vs Joe Fournier: UK start time, live stream, TV channel and all you need to know ahead of Misfits 007
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“That’s what I feel like life is all about, just being a better person throughout this journey of life.”
KSI, 29, returns to the boxing ring tonight against millionaire nightclub tycoon-turned 9-0 boxer Joe Fournier, 40, on DAZN PPV.
And he does so amid the sensational rise of his drinks company Prime, launched with old rival and now business partner Logan Paul, 28.
KSI also continues to upload videos to his own YouTube channels all while running his newly-founded promotional company Misfits Boxing.
But still the internet sensation somehow finds time to attend to all his various ventures – unlike others in the business.
He said: “It’s all based on yourself, if you want to put more work in, if you want to put more drive into something, you can do it.
“After training, I find some time to show, eat, and then I make a video.
“Then I play games and I’ll make another video if I really want to, or I’ll see what my schedule is saying.
KSI launched drinks company Prime in 2022 with Logan Paul
KSI is also a rapper
The social media star is in fantastic shape
KSI poses with his Misfits Boxing belt
“I make time for everything, there’s what 24 hours in a day and you’re sleeping for what, eight hours of it? That’s 16 hours to do a lot.
“I’m training for about three hours, that’s stil 13 hours to do stuff. Are you telling me there’s no time to do anything else?
“I feel like, I’ve said it before there’s certain influencers, especially in the boxing scene that are being lazy, simple as that.
“They’re taking money and just being happy with that, I’m just thee trying to be the blueprint of you can be more and get more because of it.”
KSI knocked out gamer Faze Temperrr, 29, in January and his post-fight interview was gatecrashed by Fournier, 40, who demanded he be next.
So he accepted the challenge and faces the biggest test in his boxing career against an opponent with prior professional experience.
KSI said: “He wanted it the most. He’s a pro boxer, 9-0 and I thought, ‘Yeah, screw it, why not?’
“Even after I knocked out Temperrr, he was there, in the ring, constantly getting in my face like, ‘I want this fight.’
“He wanted to fight me, I had options but he wanted it the most so I was like, ‘Cool, let’s go, I love the challenge.’
“So let’s see what he can do.”
The YouTuber opens up to SunSport
KSI poses ahead of his next fight
KSI facing off with Joe Fournier
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for you to master boxing?
Boxing is the oldest known martial art. Around 2200 BC, China hosted the first boxing match. Boxing has been practiced for thousands of years. Today, boxing is still loved by celebrities and athletes. It takes around 10 months for a boxer to be proficient.
The reason why it takes so long to learn boxing is because it involves many different types of movements. To perform each movement properly, you need specific muscles. It takes time and effort to build these muscles.
Once you have mastered the art of moving your body, you are ready to start learning any type or boxing technique. Over time, each technique will become more difficult.
What can I do to practice my boxing defense?
Boxing is the oldest known martial art. Boxing is also one of most difficult sports to learn. You cannot just punch someone in his face and then knock him out. You must be able defend yourself from kicks and punches.
The first thing you need to do is find a boxing gym near you. Once you have found a suitable place to train you’ll need some gloves or headgear. Gloves protect the hands while headgear protects the head. Shorts and a Tshirt are also required.
Once you have everything you need, you will need to warm up. Start slowly and work your way up gradually to full speed. If you feel ready, get on the bag and start sparring with another boxer. Don’t fret if you don’t succeed. Just try again until you nail it.
How to throw a jab
Follow this step-by-step guide to throw a jab.
- Get up with both feet.
- Lift your arm up above your shoulder.
- Your target is at your feet.
- Swing your arm back upwards after hitting your target.
- Repeat steps 1 to 4.
Statistics
- It is just like normal sparring with a partner, but you want to throw punches at 75% of your normal speed. (wikihow.com)
- This article received 39 testimonials and 89% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. (wikihow.com)
External Links
en.wikipedia.org
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How To
These are the basic skills of boxing
How to box effectively
Boxing is a popular sport. It involves two people who attempt to knock each other out of their heads. Each country has its own rules. There are three types generally of boxing: Amateur (Professional) and Olympic (Olympic).
Amateur boxing usually takes place at school, college and university. This type of boxing includes sparring sessions with padded gloves and without any protection. Amateur boxing competitions usually last three rounds and last five minutes each. There are many types of amateur boxing: Kickboxing, Muay Thai and Taekwondo.
Boxing is typically practiced in clubs, stadiums or gyms. They use protective equipment, such as mouthpieces, nose guards, shin protectors, elbow pads knee pads, waist belts and groin protectors. Professional boxing contests last six rounds and last for four minutes each. There are several different styles of professional boxing including Boxing, MMA (Mixed Martial Arts), Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Taekwondo and others.
Olympic boxing is done at the Olympics. Special protective gear must be worn by boxers to ensure compliance with international standards. The competition lasts for eight rounds, each lasting three minutes. Olympic boxing is limited to two styles: Light Flyweight and Heavyweight.
The basics of boxing are:
- Punching techniques
- Techniques for protecting yourself
- Footwork
- Stance
- Moving your body
- Defense
- Combination
- Rotation
- Sparring
Punching Techniques
There are seven types: Left Hook (right hook), Right Hook (uppercut), Cross (cross), Straight, Overhand, Underhand. Each punch has its own technique. Some punches need more power than others. An example of this is an uppercut, which requires tremendous force. However, a straight punch is much more powerful and faster than other punches.
There are also many combinations. These are combinations made up of several punches that can be used together to achieve one goal. One combination can have many parts. For example, a left hook followed by a right cross will cause damage to the opponent’s jaw.
Guard Techniques
Boxers use their bodies to defend themselves against attack. He does this using his legs and arms, elbows as well as hands, knees and feet.
Legs
Boxers should use the legs to protect themselves against kicks. When he receives a kick, he raises his leg and moves away from the attacker. If the attacker is coming from the front, he will bend at the knees to avoid getting kicked on either side. He will block the kick with his foot if the attack is coming from behind.
Elbows
Because they cause great pain, elbow strikes are extremely effective. An elbow strike can be delivered either directly or indirectly. Directly refers to hitting your opponent with the forearm, while indirect means you hit him using another part of your arms.
Hands
Boxers use their arms to stop incoming blows. To do this, they raise their fists higher than their heads and move their arms in the direction that the attack is coming. They then make contact with their attacker’s fist.
Knees
A boxer should bend his knees in order to absorb any blows to his stomach, abdomen, chest or stomach. A lot of boxers use knee strikes to defend themselves.
Feet
When attacked, a boxer should step back and deliver counter-attacks. This will help him gain distance from his opponent. Also, boxers must maintain their balance while delivering counter-attacks.
Stances
Boxing is only possible if a boxer has a clear stance. The way he defends him will be dictated by his stance. It defines where he faces his opponent and how he positions his body. There are many positions that boxers can adopt. Here are some of the more popular ones:
- Low stance
- High stance
- Southpaw stance
- Western stance
Move your body
To win a fight, a fighter must move around the opponent. This means changing your speed, position and rhythm.
Rotation
When a boxer throws a punch, he rotates in order to increase the reach of his arm. You can rotate at different speeds depending upon the punch.
Combinations
Timing of each punch is crucial to the effectiveness of a combination. A combination is good if it starts with a strong punch then ends with a weaker one.
Sparring
Sparring is a training session that improves boxing skills. During sparring sessions, a boxer trains his mind as well as his body. Sparring is a way to learn how to fight without getting hurt.
To sum it all, boxing requires patience and dedication. To become a better fighter, you have to train hard and continue to work.
