LOVE ISLAND star Jack Fincham says it is the “perfect time” for him to turn professional after the success of KSI vs Logan Paul.
Fincham, an ex-amateur at Eltham ABC, wants to capitalise on the new wave of social media stars turning to boxing.
Jack Fincham says it’s the ‘perfect time’ to turn pro after KSI v Logan Paul successCredit: Instagram @jack_charlesf
Fincham already has 26 bouts in the unpaid ranksCredit: Instagram @jack_charlesf
Brit YouTuber KSI – real name Olajide William Olatunji – beat internet rival Paul by split-decision on their pro debuts in Los Angeles.
And Tommy Fury, brother of ex-world champion Tyson Fury, spent this summer on the popular ITV Love Island villa, with his boxing return set for December.
Fincham – who already has 26 bouts in the unpaid ranks – thinks now is the time to put his prior ring experience to the test and become the latest celebrity fighter.
He told SunSport: “I think this would be a good time because boxing is going that way where everyone is interested in it.
“With the YouTubers boxing it opens up the sport to people who wouldn’t usually watch boxing.
“You’ve got to think, you had Billy Joe Saunders boxing on the undercard, and all these kids who follow the YouTubers they’ve got a massive audience they now know who Billy Joe Saunders is – one of Britain’s best boxers.
“The way boxing’s going, yeah it is the perfect time to get back in there.”
YouTube pair KSI and Paul came under heavy criticism when they turned pro, a year after boxing to a draw in an exhibition bout.
But having already had aspirations to be a boxer before his late teens, Fincham warns naysayers he will not be a hopeless novice in the sport for a pay-day.
The Ultimate Boxxer ambassador explained: “The thing is I’m not one of these guys ‘deciding’ to be a boxer, I’ve done it.
“My first bout I was 14-years-old, I’ve sat in a sauna making weight for fights, I’ve done it all, so it would make sense.
“I’m 100 per cent going to get the people that say ‘You’re only doing it for this…’ but getting to come to events and being around the shows it reignites your passion for it.
“If I want to go back to the gym I won’t sit there and think ‘Oh, I want to lift some weights’ I’d want to go and hit the bag, because that’s all I know.
“You’re going to get (critics) but that’s when I’ll start digging out my old trophies and pictures and say ‘Hang on a minute mate, I was 15 there!’
“For me I think this is just a great time for boxing, so why am I any different? And, in fact I’ve had enough bouts to turn over anyway.”
Logan Paul lost the rematch while being deducted points for foul playCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Fincham is a close friend of WBO European super-featherweight champion Archie Sharp, far right, having boxed with himCredit: Instagram @jack_charlesf
Fincham planned on becoming a pro boxer before his late teens
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
