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      How KSI’s brother Deji went from YouTube boxing ‘failure’ to fighting 15x world champ Floyd Mayweather as an all-new man

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      YOUTUBE boxing star Deji went from self-professed “failure” to fighting boxing legend Floyd Mayweather as an all-new man. The social media sensation rose to fame as the younger brother of KSI, one of the most recognised faces on the internet.
      Floyd Mayweather and Deji ahead of their exhibitionCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      YouTube stars KSI and Deji
      Deji celebrating his first boxing win against Fousey earlier this yearCredit: Rex
      But Deji – full name Oladeji Daniel Olatunji – carved out a career for himself with over 16.2MILLION followers and subscribers.
      When KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – signed to fight American Logan Paul, Deji featured on the undercard.
      It was a family affair as he faced Paul’s brother Jake in the co-headliner, losing by stoppage.
      As the world of influencer boxing grew, it was inevitable that Deji would be back in the ring again.
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      And that came in June 2021, during a YouTube vs TikTok event which saw him fight Vinnie Hacker, 20.
      But after ballooning up to over 14 stone for the fight, Deji was stopped in two rounds, quitting on his feet.
      Afterwards, he tweeted: “I’m sorry, I am a failure.”
      It set up a comeback fight greater than ever, as Deji, 25, claimed he would walk away from boxing if he lost to Alex Wassabi, 32, in March.

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      The former gamer switched gyms, training alongside coach Daley Perales and looked a new man.
      Unfortunately, it was a similar story as Wassabi ran out the victor following a close points decision.
      Deji’s first sign of resilience came in his emotional post-fight speech, in which he told his adoring fans he would not quit.
      He said: “If you guys want me to fight again, I’ll show you what I can do.”
      Deji added more muscle to his team with the addition of esteemed strength and conditioning coach Leon Wills.
      And together with boxing trainer Perales, they helped shape a new and improved Deji, who returned against online rival Fousey, 32.
      Deji lost to Jake Paul in their 2018 fightCredit: Reuters
      Deji was beaten by TikToker Vinnie HackerCredit: Getty
      Alex Wassabi celebrates his win over DejiCredit: Instagram @showstarboxing
      Deji’s improvement in his skills, fitness and mindset was there for all to see as he dropped and stopped Fousey in three rounds.
      He said after winning his first fight: “I have the best team ever. I have Daley, the best boxing coach ever, ever.
      “I have Leon, the best PT in the game and I have everyone out there showing their love. And that brought me out.”
      The YouTube scene stood up and took notice of Deji, but little did he know the win would capture the attention of boxing greatness.
      Global Titans, a newly-found Dubai-based promotion, had just signed Floyd Mayweather, 45, to an exclusive deal.
      American YouTuber Fousey was beaten by DejiCredit: Getty
      Fousey was dropped and stoppedCredit: Rex
      And they were seeking out competition for his first exhibition bout under their banner.
      Manager Liam Chivers, who works with a host of influencer talent, was approached to put forward some names.
      At the top of his list were Deji and AnEsonGib, who was a week away from his eventual win over Austin McBroom.
      Due to Gib’s upcoming bout, it was Deji who was put forward and later approved by Mayweather’s team.
      A deal was wrapped up within two weeks, setting the scene for one of boxing’s most extraordinary bouts.
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      The pair will share the ring over eight rounds in Dubai on Sunday night.
      And in a career in which has seen Deji always put so much on the line, this is his first fight where he truly has nothing to lose.
      Deji ahead of his fight with boxing legend Floyd MayweatherCredit: @GlobalTitansFS
      Coach Leon Wills with DejiCredit: @GlobalTitansFS
      Boxing trainer Daley Perales with DejiCredit: @GlobalTitansFS More

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      KSI’s coach reveals how many fights YouTube boxer is away from Jake Paul grudge match and names perfect return opponent

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      YOUTUBE boxing sensation KSI is building towards a grudge fight with arch nemesis Jake Paul. The social media, rap and crossover fighting star returned to the ring in August, having not boxed since beat Paul’s brother Logan in 2019.
      Trainer Leon Wills with YouTube star KSI in 2019Credit: Getty Images – Getty
      Jake Paul is 6-0 as a boxerCredit: Reuters
      And he made up for the three-year layoff by winning TWICE on the same night, stopping musician Swarmz and boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda.
      Meanwhile Paul, 25, recently improved to 6-0 by beating UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, in his biggest win to date.
      KSI, 29, has vowed to settle the score with the American once and for all in the future, but the time is not yet right.
      Instead, his strength and conditioning coach Leon Wills believes they are up to three fights away from the judgment day.

      Wills told SunSport: “Jake is the pinnacle, right?
      “So his fights need to build up to fighting Jake, he needs to fight people that are credible enough to learn from and you get something out of. 
      “I think he’s got about two or three fights until he fights Jake, so he needs to climb the ladder. He’s got to climb his way up the ladder.”
      KSI returns on January 14 in the US, desperate to up his opposition after Swarmz, 25, and so-called professional Pineda, 23, offered little.
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      And it is a pair of Paul’s boxing rivals who Wills believes could offer KSI the perfect stepping stone.
      He said: “I think a Tommy Fury would be nice, it’s a challenge. 
      “KSI is also training with the London Shootfighters gym, so it depends what his coaches are teaching him whether he’d be ready for Tommy. 
      “Woodley is a good one but the thing is, he’d have to knock him out better than Jake knocked him out and that’s the issue. 
      “It’s motivation but then he might try too hard and that’s the thing, when KSI tries to hard he doesn’t really get the knockout. 
      “If he’s more relaxed and fluid in there, he’ll get the knockout easy.” 
      They’re both gonna be fit, they’re both gonna be fit, they have a lot to lose, it’s whoever outsmarts each other and fights their fight.KSI’s coach Leon Wills on Jake Paul fight
      Paul knocked out Woodley, 40, in round six of their rematch having beaten the ex-UFC champion on points previously.
      And he also bettered UFC icon Silva over the eight-round distance in. showcase of his development.
      Both Paul and KSI vowed sign off their bitter feud with a brutal KO, ending the argument once and for all.
      But coach Wills admitted it will be a battle of brains not brawn when they finally put it all on the line.
      He said: “That fight is gonna be about who can box who, who can have the intelligence. It’s going to be about boxing IQ, not brute force. 
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      “So whoever is going to be working behind the jab and setting up traps, that will be the winner. 
      “They’re both gonna be fit, they’re both gonna be fit, they have a lot to lose, it’s whoever outsmarts each other and fights their fight.” 
      KSI and Jake Paul want to fight in 2023Credit: GETTY More

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      Deji’s coach urges YouTube boxing star to ‘right his wrongs’ and avenge losses in ‘BLOOD’ after Floyd Mayweather fight

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      YOUTUBE boxing star Deji has been urged to “right his wrongs” and avenge his losses in “BLOOD” after facing Floyd Mayweather. The British social media sensation and crossover boxer meets American legend Mayweather over eight rounds on Sunday night.
      Floyd Mayweather and Deji ahead of their exhibitionCredit: globaltitansfightseries
      Deji lost to TikToker Vinnie HackerCredit: Getty
      Jake Paul beat Deji in their 2018 exhibitionCredit: Reuters
      It marks an extraordinary turnaround for Deji, who in August won his first fight following three consecutive defeats.
      Stoppages against Jake Paul, 25 and TikToker Vinnie Hacker, 20, were then followed by a points loss to Alex Wassabi, 32.
      But Deji, 25, refused to quit and this year beat online rival Fousey, 32, as a new and improved man.
      It somehow landed him the opportunity to share the ring with boxing greatness in Mayweather, 45, in Dubai.
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      And his strength and conditioning trainer Leon Wills wants to see Deji on a revenge tour after sharing the ring with the self-proclaimed “Best Ever.”
      Wills told SunSport: “This is just an exhibition, it’s not a title fight.
      “Deji will be the least experienced boxer to ever share the ring with a world champion, let alone Floyd. 
      “So for Deji it’s just a learning curve, go in there try new things, just learn, enjoy the moment and when you get out of here, go back into your YouTube boxing realm. 
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      “He needs to right his wrongs, anyone that’s beaten him in the past he needs to go and get it back in blood and try get them YouTube belts.”  
      Deji may be entering the peak of his powers in the boxing ring but for Mayweather, they are well in the past.
      He officially retired in 2017 after beating UFC superstar Conor McGregor, 34, but has competed in four exhibitions.
      Mayweather stopped martial artists Tenshin Nasukawa, 24, and Miruku Asakura, 30, in Japan.
      But YouTuber Logan Paul, 27, and ex-sparring partner Don Moore held on for the eight-round distance.

      🥊Floyd Mayweather vs Deji: RIng walk time, live stream, TV channel and STACKED undercard info
      It gives Deji – who has undergone a TWO STONE weight loss – the decision on whether to fight for survival or risk it all.
      Wills said: “Personally, I think the most important thing is understanding it’s an exhibition. 
      “But I said, if he sticks it on you, you can’t have it. Don’t have it. Mumsy said when we were younger, ‘If anyone hits you, hit them back.’ 
      “That’s how it has to be, if he tries to give it to you, you have to give it back. Give him something to think about, don’t just run. 
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      “Still try and be technical, head movement, always work behind your jab whoever you fight. That’s the plan and yeah, it’s up to Deji.
      “He’s in the ring, if he wants to go for broke, go for broke, but many have tried and they all came up short.” 
      Fousey was beaten by Deji in AugustCredit: Getty
      Strength and conditioning coach Leon Wills with Deji in DubaiCredit: globaltitansfightseries More

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      Jack Fincham is not getting past me, I will destroy him and then fight Floyd Mayweather, says Anthony Taylor

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      ANTHONY TAYLOR has vowed to destroy Jack Fincham on Floyd Mayweather’s undercard – before fighting the boxing legend himself. Taylor faces 2018 Love Island winner Fincham on Sunday night in Dubai, just hours before Mayweather’s exhibition with YouTuber Deji.
      Jack Fincham and Anthony Taylor ahead of their fightCredit: globaltitansfightseries
      Floyd Mayweather confronted by Anthony TaylorCredit: globaltitansfightseries
      The former MMA contender and sparring partner of Jake Paul’s has done his best to steal the pay-per-view show.
      That ranges from offering to fight Mayweather at the open workouts to tussling with Fincham after an altercation.
      But Taylor insisted there is no ill-will towards his opponent, just a job to do at hand, which he plans to brutally complete.
      He told SunSport: “Jack’s not getting past me.
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      “Ain’t nobody getting past me no more, nobody. I’ve had an amazing camp, coach, team, I’m in the best shape of my life.
      “The lower weight I go, the stronger and faster I’m going to be. Jack doesn’t pose a threat to me.
      “I respect him as an opponent, because he’s going in there risking his life and he has a family who depends on him financially.
      “But same goes to me, there’s no hate or animosity towards Jack, I just want him to know that I’m coming to destroy him.”
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      Taylor, 33, competes on yet another PPV boxing event, having twice featured on Paul’s undercard.
      Whereas Fincham, 31, makes his long-awaited professional boxing debut following an amateur career spanning nearly 30 bouts.
      But Taylor warned the former reality TV star picked the wrong man to kick off his career in the paid ranks.
      He said: “It’s a big mistake, I think he should have fought someone different on a lower tier, I’m a high-tier fighter with experience fighting on big cards.
      “I’ve fought in big arenas, where the spotlight is big and still overcame it. This is his first time fighting professionally in general.
      I just want him to know that I’m coming to destroy him.Anthony Taylor on Jack Fincham
      “I have to destroy him and get my record up. And after I steamroll Jack I want Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather’.
      “I’m going to be the first man to drop Floyd Mayweather in an exhibition and I can guarantee you that.”
      Taylor lost to Tommy Fury, 23, in August 2021 then to Nate Diaz’s training partner Chris Avila, 29, four months later.
      But he made easy work of Rak-Su singer Ashley Fongho, 30, in their September fight, flooring the singer with the first punch he threw.
      And he warned fans it is time to stop underestimating him and would be willing to fight any social media influencer to prove it.
      Taylor said: “I feel like people are now taking me seriously. I’m not the same fighter that fought Tommy Fury. I’ve levelled up my game.
      Read More on The Sun
      “There’s a couple of names out there I want to fight. I definitely want KSI, Gib, Slim, as long as it makes dollars, it makes sense.
      “I don’t have a problem fighting any influencer, Logan Paul, I don’t have a problem with that. I want to fight, I love to fight.”
      Anthony Taylor training in DubaiCredit: @anthony_prettyboy More

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      Tyson Fury may have to fight Deontay Wilder for FOURTH time with American to battle Andy Ruiz in final WBC eliminato

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      TYSON FURY could be ordered to fight Deontay Wilder for a FOURTH time.The WBC have today confirmed Wilder vs Andy Ruiz Jr as a final eliminator for Fury’s title.
      Deontay Wilder could face Tyson Fury for a FOURTH timeCredit: Getty
      Andy Ruiz Jr will face Wilder to become mandatory challenger for Fury’s titleCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Fury will then be ordered to face the winner, who will become mandatory challenger for his WBC belt.
      That’s if he beats Derek Chisora on December 3 at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
      Wilder, 37, returned to action last month, a year after being beaten by Fury in their trilogy bout.
      The Bronze Bomber brutally knocked out Robert Helenius in the first round of their October showdown.
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      WBC president Mauricio Sulaiman was left impressed by Wilder in his devastating victory over Helenius.
      Andy Ruiz Jr meanwhile beat Luis Ortiz via unanimous decision in September.
      Like Wilder, the 33-year-old is bidding to become a two-time champion after he surprised the world in 2019 to knock out Anthony Joshua, before losing in his rematch with AJ.
      On a bout between the pair, Ruiz told Boxing Social: “For me, I feel like I can take a punch.
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      “I’m not saying he [Wilder] doesn’t hit hard or nothing, but just like Eddie Hearn was saying, I’m gonna get in, I’m gonna throw my combinations, I’m gonna be fast, explosive, and I throw that right had, in his temple, and he’s gonna go down.”
      Despite one of the pair set to be mandatory for Fury’s title, the Gypsy King has an undisputed bout with Oleksandr Usyk in his sights.
      Fury is targeting an epic showdown with the Ukrainian for early 2023.
      Wilder on the other hand is rumoured as a potential opponent for Joshua.
      Matchroom chief Eddie Hearn, who promotes AJ, said the pair could come to blows next summer. More

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      Jake Paul already back training after gruelling sparring session with WBO cruiserweight world champion Lawrence Okolie

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      JAKE PAUL is already back in training just a week after beating Anderson Silva.That’s after being put through his paces in a gruelling sparring session with cruiserweight king Lawrence Okolie.
      Jake Paul enjoyed a gruelling sparring session against Lawrence OkolieCredit: Instagram @lawrenceokolie
      Paul, 25, is the talk of boxing after racking up yet another impressive win.
      His sixth victory came in late October against Silva, with the YouTuber dropping the MMA legend in the final round.
      But Paul is not resting on his laurels after jetting to Dubai for Floyd Mayweather’s fight against Deji.
      Instead, the American linked up with world champion Okolie for a brutal spar in the ring.
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      And the duo showed they had worked up quite a sweat as they posed for a picture afterwards.
      Unbeaten Okolie, 29, has fought some of the best in the business, with his most recent win coming in February over Michal Cieslak.
      But he believes Paul can go toe-to-toe with most professional fighters.
      Okolie said: “He’s better than most boxers, people just hate because of his influencer background.”
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      It now remains to be seen who Paul takes on next, with long-time rival Tommy Fury also in Dubai this weekend.
      The sibling of heavyweight icon Tyson has already threatened to SLAP Paul should they end up meeting.
      But SunSport has been exclusively told by trainer Anthony Taylor that Fury stands “no chance” against Paul.
      Taylor declared: “Tommy has no chance. Jake Paul knocks him out, third round.
      “Tommy is slow, he doesn’t have any power, he has no pop in him, I’ve felt his power.
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      “I’m a tough dude, I’m a realist and I’ve always been consistent. Tommy doesn’t have the power.
      “Jake Paul is going to outwork Tommy. If you notice, Tommy likes to avoid the longer rounds, he’s been doing four rounds.” More

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      Deji wants to fight Justin Bieber after Floyd Mayweather on undercard of Jake Paul vs KSI

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      YOUTUBE star Deji has said a showdown with Justin Bieber would be on his dream fight card.The 25-year-old brother of KSI takes on boxing legend Floyd Mayweather this weekend in Dubai.
      Deji faces Floyd Mayweather in Dubai on SundayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Deji won his last fight in August after previously losing his first three boutsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Deji is targeting a dream bout with Justin BieberCredit: Getty
      And after his epic showdown with Mayweather, 45, Deji has Bieber, 28, in his sights.
      He wants the fight against the Canadian musician to feature on the undercard of his brother’s fight against Jake Paul.
      KSI and Paul are being lined up for a mega fight in 2023.
      Deji himself was to fight on the same night as his brother, with Bieber his ideal opponent.
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      When asked about his dream boxing card, which included KSI vs Paul, Deji told the Rils & Wils podcast: “Me vs Justin Bieber.”
      He added: “That’s a W isn’t it?”
      Deji also revealed he wants to see Logan Paul take on Jason Momoa, who played Khal Drogo in Game of Thrones. .
      Superstar artist Bieber has previous boxing experience, and has called out Hollywood A-lister Tom Cruise in the past.
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      Deji lost his first three fights before tasting victory for the first time in August with a win over Fousey.
      The 1-3 fighter returns to the ring on Sunday against the undefeated Mayweather.
      KSI is due to make his return in the New Year, before a potential mega bout against Paul.
      KSI last fought on the same night as Deji in August – beating rapper Swarmz and pro boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda in the same night.
      Paul meanwhile extended his record to 6-0 with victory over UFC legend Anderson Silva last month.
      KSI could fight Jake Paul in 2023Credit: Getty
      Paul boasts a flawless 6-0 boxing recordCredit: Getty Images – Getty More

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      Tommy Fury has ‘NO CHANCE’ against Jake Paul and will be knocked out in three rounds, says man who boxed BOTH rivals

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      JAKE PAUL has been backed to make easy work of Tommy Fury inside three rounds by a fighter who has shared the ring with BOTH rivals. Fury is in line to receive a THIRD contract to fight Paul, having twice pulled out of their pay-per-view headliners in the past.
      Jake Paul pictured with former sparring partner Anthony TaylorCredit: Instagram @anthony_prettyboy
      Tommy Fury and Anthony TaylorCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Anthony Taylor is in the rare position of having boxed the pair of celebrity stars.
      He was Paul’s previous sparring partner while losing a four-round decision on the YouTuber’s undercard to Fury, 23, last year.
      And with talk of a grudge match being rescheduled for 2023, Taylor, 33, sees only one winner.
      He told SunSport: “Tommy has no chance. Jake Paul knocks him out, third round.
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      “Tommy is slow, he doesn’t have no power, he has no pop in him, I’ve felt his power.
      “I’m a tough dude, I’m a realist and I’ve always been consistent, Tommy doesn’t have the power.
      “Jake Paul is just going to outwork Tommy. If you notice, Tommy likes to avoid the longer rounds, Tommy has been doing four rounds.
      “He avoids eight rounds, he doesn’t do them. I wouldn’t be surprised if Jake says, ‘We’re going to fight, but it’s going 12 rounds.’
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      “Tommy is going to be like, ‘Nah, I’m OK.’ I do think Jake should fight Tommy over ten rounds, to be honest.
      “That’s fair since Tommy f****d over Jake twice, he should take on the financial responsibility of the fight and make it a ten-round fight.”
      Fury first withdrew against Paul, 25, last December with a rib injury, causing Tyron Woodley, 40, to step in and lose by knockout.
      The pair then renegotiated terms for August but the 2019 Love Islander suffered a US visa issue, which still persists currently.
      Paul instead returned in October and beat UFC legend Anderson Silva, 47, his biggest win to date.
      And now it is Fury’s turn as he faces 5-2 American Paul Bamba, 33, on Sunday in Dubai, falling on Floyd Mayweather’s undercard.

      Paul will be in attendance with Taylor also in action against another reality TV star in Jack Fincham, 31.
      But the former MMA champion wanted to rematch Fury – and dared his former opponent to try and get a KO this time.
      Taylor said: “Tommy doesn’t want to fight me again.
      “Tommy wants to fight Jake Paul, but Jake had to fight Tyron Woodley twice because Tommy backed out.
      “Why can’t I get my rematch? Who are you to tell me I can’t get a rematch? He wants to fight bums.
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      “No disrespect to Paul Bamba, he’s a bum and that’s just how it is.
      “Tommy, fight a real fighter. Finish what you started. Give me my redemption fight.”
      Anthony Taylor was beaten by Tommy Fury on Jake Paul’s undercardCredit: Getty More