More stories

  • in

    Inside YouTuber Danny Aarons’ stunning SIX STONE weight loss after ditching junk food to become ‘the next KSI’ of boxing

    DANNY AARONS has gone from overweight gamer to the next KSI of Misfits Boxing with a sensational life turnaround. Aarons was over 17 STONE while rising to fame on YouTube playing FIFA video games. Danny Aarons has gone through a huge body transformationAarons makes his debut against former footballer Danny SimpsonBut amid the rise of celebrity-style crossover bout with Misfits Boxing, the 22-year-old fancied getting in on the action. He now makes his debut on Saturday night in a headline fight against Premier League winner Danny Simpson in Dublin. It marks a stunning contrast as Aarons told SunSport: “Obviously there’s physical changes yes but you don’t realise how much of it is mental.”I was waking up at stupid o’clock doing nothing with my life being so unproductive, eating a bunch of junk food, and it was just not not healthy and not a sustainable way to live.READ MORE IN BOXING”So you had to make good change. It’s a mental change, but I’m not a doctor or anything but honestly, just get out, get outside, do some walks, eat clean.”Aarons is now down to 11st 7lb having put in hours of training under the guidance of coach Huzaifah Iqbal in Surrey. He said: “It’s easy to to get in there one day and do it cos it’s fun, you know, it’s new. “But when you have to wake up again, do it the next day and then the next day and the next day it’s just being consistent with it is the is the tough bit.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”The easiest part, I think just my coaches and that they just feel like family, like it’s not like I have to go to training.”It’s like I’m just hanging out with the boys, man, it feels good.”Aarons has welcomed being compared to KSI – having gone from content creator to boxer. He said: “I love pressure. I love pressure. To be compared to KSI, can’t be a bad thing. So I’ll take it.”Danny Simpson agrees to put Premier League winner’s medal on the line in boxing fight against YouTuber Danny Aarons More

  • in

    Danny Simpson agrees to put Premier League winner’s medal on the line in boxing fight against YouTuber Danny Aarons

    DANNY SIMPSON has agreed to put his Premier League winner’s medal on the line in his first ever boxing fight.The former defender – who was part of the Leicester team that overcame odds of 5000-1 to win the title – faces YouTuber Danny Aarons.Danny Aarons has a bet with Danny Simpson in their fightSimpson risks losing his Prem winners medalIt marks the first time Simpson or any football star has stepped foot in the Misfits Boxing ring.And the stakes have been raised after Tottenham fan Aarons put up a wager ahead of Saturday’s bout.The gamer agreed to put up the gold plague he received after earning 1million subscribers on YouTube.In return he would win the gold medal Simpson famously earned in 2016.READ MORE IN boxingAarons said: “It would mean everything to me. It means even more now I get his Premier League medal.”I can’t believe he said yes to that. You can’t go back on that, handshakes are on camera. “So if I didn’t want to win already, I know want to win now.” Simpson, whose Foxes side pipped Spurs to the title, fired back: “I don’t mind shaking hands because that’s not gonna happen. Most read in Boxing”You’re only saying that because it’s the closest time Spurs will ever get to a medal.” Aarons replied: “One hundred per cent, one million per cent. I’ll have a Premier League medal before my own club, I have to have it. I’ll take it.” Simpsons joked: “You caught me off guard with that, but that’s not going to happen.” Danny Simpson reveals football rival DM’d him to set up fight… and backs ex-Man Utd team-mate to make boxing switch More

  • in

    I was on Riyad Mahrez’s stag when I got boxing fight offer… I don’t want my daughters to watch, says Danny Simpson

    DANNY SIMPSON was on Riyad Mahrez’s stag do when he got the offer to box – and does not want his daughters to watch. The 2016 Premier League winner with Leicester faces YouTuber Danny Aarons on Saturday night in Dublin. Riyad Mahrez and Danny Simpson won the Premier League together at LeicesterCredit: PA:Press AssociationDanny Simpson with his eldest daughter SkyeCredit: InstagramHe took the fight on just over a month’s notice when KSI was forced to pull out of his main event after suffering a hand injury. And Simpson was on a series of boozy holidays culminating in Mahrez’s stag when he got the call from Misfits Boxing chief Mams Taylor. He told SunSport: “I had my friends stag do. “So I was in Marbella and then Ibiza and then from Ibiza, I went to Riyad Mahrez’s stag do in Lake Como. READ MORE IN BOXING”And then it was pretty much after that I got a call. It was probably the right time after that holiday.”Simpson had just left ex-Foxes team-mate Mahrez when he accepted the boxing offer – but has been wished well by the likes of Jamie Vardy. He revealed: “I’m in the WhatsApp group, still with all the Leicester boys, called reunion, because it’s nearly ten years since we won the league.”Everyone’s just been saying good luck like Vards, Andy King – Wes Morgan was gonna try and come but he can’t make it. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”Ben Chilwell, all the lads have got games and stuff, so they they can’t make it.”But everyone just said, listen, they said they wouldn’t do it so good luck and and enjoy it.”Simpson has two daughters, Skye, 13, and Vienna, four. His eldest Skye knows full well who his social media sensation opponent Aarons is – but he does not want either watching the fight. Simpson said: “I don’t want them to watch. “Watching your dad have a a fight, you know it’s not ideal when they’re used to watching me playing football forever.Danny Simpson in training for his boxing fightCredit: @dannysimpsonSimpson won the Prem title in 2016Credit: Getty Images – Getty”Especially Skye knows Danny Aarons and the world. But they’re supportive and just told me to do my best.”Simpson has been training under veteran coach Pat Barrett – an ex-British champ – for the last four weeks. And after being forced to cut out the booze and unhealthy food, the former footballer is out for more fights in the future. Simpson said: “I’ve loved it. It’s been tough. “The dieting, trying to lose the best part of 8/9 kilogrammes in that time has been difficult but I’ve had the right people around me.”So I keep thinking, imagine having a 12 week camp, not already overweight, already at a decent walking around weight. I’d feel even better.”So I’m looking forward to having a full camp in the future and and keeping fit actually while I’m not preparing for a fight. READ MORE SUN STORIES”Because I think that’s one thing that’s given me this is, it’s put me back on the right path in terms of my diet and my food and not drinking and and eating clean.” More

  • in

    KSI reveals why he would be ’10x better’ in a rematch with Tommy Fury and admits ‘mistake’ he made in first fight

    KSI insisted he will be ten times more prepared in a rematch against Tommy Fury – having learned from his biggest mistake. The boxing, music and YouTube superstar suffered defeat in the ring for the first time last October in a controversial decision to Fury. Tommy Fury controversially beat KSI on pointsCredit: PAKSI was due to return this Saturday against BOTH social media star Slim Albaher and ex-MMA fighter Anthony Taylor in a two-on-one bout. That was until he was forced to pull out after suffering a hand injury which also caused his problems in the build up to facing 25-year-old Fury. But KSI admitted coming in undersized for his 183lb catchweight clash last year was actually his biggest error of all. He told SunSport: “I wouldn’t want to make any excuses against me and Tommy.READ MORE IN BOXING“I think – but this is again my fault – it was the weight. I should have fought him at a weight that I was really comfortable in.“We put up 186 or 185 but I was struggling to even make that weight. “Whereas now I’m in a position where I’m happy to be at 185 and I’m not gonna struggle to try and get to it.“I remember when I had to weigh in, I had to drink a load of water just to try and make the weight just to try and get onto the scale and hit 185.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“I was very light when I was fighting Tommy. Whereas now you know, I’ve decided to put on a lot more muscle, get a bit bigger, stronger.“And I feel like if we were to have a rematch, I’d just do 10 times better.”Jake Paul reveals ‘take it-or-leave it’ offer to fight KSIKSI, 31, has ruled out a boxing return until 2025 as he looks to recover from his agonising hand injury. He said: “I’m thinking hopefully Q1 of next year. “I think that’s what we’re looking to aim at. I think any time this year it probably just doesn’t make sense.“And it’s one of those things where the longer I let it heal, the better for the future rather than me trying to rush back into fighting again and then just get injured again.”KSI will still perform to his beloved fans in what is a sellout at the 3Arena in Dublin – but on the microphone not in the ring. She said: “I always like finding the silver lining of things. So after I got injured, I was just like, how can I still be a part of this next Misfits?“So I thought you know what, why not just perform. So I feel like my audience still get to see me somewhat perform obviously not boxing, but doing music.“And also just get to see me in general. I’m still gonna be also commentating during the event as well as well as performing, some new songs, some old songs.READ MORE SUN STORIES“So overall, just gonna be a good event. And that was what I wanted to make sure would happen.”KSI will perform music at the 3Arena after pulling out of his fightCredit: Rex More

  • in

    Jake Paul reveals ‘last thing in the way’ of huge £100m KSI fight and issues ‘take-it-or-leave it’ offer to rival

    JAKE PAUL insisted there is just one final obstacle standing in the way of a huge KSI fight – but warned he is on his last “take-it-or-leave it” offer. The pair of YouTubers-turned-boxers have spent years feuding which has fuelled demand for a blockbuster bout believed to be worth £100million,Jake Paul insisted there is just one final obstacle standing in the way of a huge KSI fightKSI vs Jake Paul could be worth £100mCredit: GettyBut talks have dragged on with the latest hurdle being the weight disparity between them.Paul’s last three fights have been at the 200lb cruiserweight limit of 14st 4lb while he prepares to move up to heavyweight to face Mike Tyson.KSI, meanwhile, suffered his first defeat in his last fight when he lost via a controversial decision to Tommy Fury at a 183lb catchweight.Paul is adamant that for the fight to happen it can only take place between the cruiserweight range of 176lb-200lb.READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said at a Professional Fighters League event: “I think it’s just down to weight now. “Because I’m so much heavier and KSI also says he’s walking around at 205 – and that’s what his coach said on an interview – so you know that’s the truth.”I’m walking around at like 215. So I think it’s just a weight thing. I think it’s like 195-200lbs. And that’s really the last thing in the way.”Well, that’s what we said to him. We said this is a cruiserweight fight unless we go down to 175.Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS“But I can’t get down there by any means. So we just said cruiserweight, professional cruiserweight fight, take it or leave it.”KSI, 31, has not returned since suffering defeat to Fury, 25, in October. Jake Paul rubs salt into ‘dumbass’ Tommy Fury’s wounds as he offers Molly-Mae a JOB after boxing rival’s shock break-upHe was due to on August 31 in Dublin against Anthony Taylor and Slim Albaher in a wild two-on-one bout.But KSI was agonisingly forced to pull out of the event with an excruciating hand injury.Meanwhile Paul, 27, takes on Tyson, 58, in Texas on November 15 in a controversial clash scrutinised for the three-decade age gap.But KSI is not so convinced the fight for the ages will go ahead after Iron Mike pulled out of the original July 20 date amid a health scare.He told us: “Jake’s just getting heavier and heavier and heavier, obviously, because he’s just looking at the Mike Tyson fight – which I still don’t think is gonna happen.“I think they’re gonna try and make an ordeal, and then eventually Mike will realise he actually can’t fight, and then I don’t know what they’re gonna do then.READ MORE SUN STORIES“But for me, the Jake fight, I’m just gonna wait. I don’t really need to chase him, eventually he’s gonna have no other options, but to have to come to me.“He’s just not trying to get involved. He’s in a bit of an awkward situation, so I think for him it’s probably easier if he just leaves it.”KSI and Jake Paul clashing in the ring in 2020Credit: Getty Images – Getty More

  • in

    KSI braces for ‘wild case’ Conor McGregor to gatecrash Misfits Dublin event after UFC star’s BARE-KNUCKLE fight callout

    KSI is braced for Conor McGregor’s wild antics in Dublin – having been called out to a BARE-KNUCKLE fight last time they met. The last time the two were in the same room – when Anthony Joshua knocked out Robert Helenius in August 2023 – McGregor offered KSI a scrap.KSI is braced for Conor McGregor’s wild antics in DublinCredit: RexConor McGregor called KSI out to a bare-knuckle fight in 2023Credit: PAAlmost 12 months on, they could run into each other again with McGregor’s photographer Dave Fogarty in action on KSI’s Misfits Boxing card.Snapper Fogarty faces Misfits champion Deen The Great in Dublin – with KSI preparing himself for any amount of chaos. He told SunSport: “With McGregor, you don’t really know what to expect. “He’s a bit of a wild case. I don’t think he’s in any state of mind to be fighting at all. I don’t think he’s gonna be fighting anytime soon.READ MORE IN BOXING”The UFC have tried. They failed. So yeah, even if he does try to call me out, I know it’s just a bluff.“I know he’s not actually about it. So I think once my hand actually properly heals, and I’m able to be 100 per cent again, I’ll actually look at people who are willing to fight and who want to fight.”A hand injury forced KSI out of his proposed return against Anthony Taylor and Slim Albaher in a wild two-on-one handicap bout.Instead, Premier League winner Danny Simpson, 37, steps in as headline replacement against YouTuber Danny Aarons, 22. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSFogarty makes his Misfits debut with close confidant McGregor expected to be in attendance to support. The ex-UFC champion, 36, in 2017 lost his lucrative boxing debut against Floyd Mayweather, 47, and has been a target of Jake Paul’s ever since.Jake Paul reveals ‘take it-or-leave it’ offer to fight KSIBut McGregor has refused to even entertain a fight with Paul, 27, and has instead talked up facing KSI, 31, in the past instead. And KSI added: “Conor is more interested in me because I sell pay-per-views. “I don’t know if you know much about Jake Paul’s last pay-per-view, but he’s sold less than 50,000 buys.“He had less than 50,000 buys. That’s terrible. For someone like him, he likes to claim that he’s the A-side, he’s one of the biggest in the world, less than 50,000 is terrible.“I don’t think I’ve ever done that. So for me, I know my worth. I know what I can do. And I know what makes sense.With McGregor, you don’t really know what to expect. He’s a bit of a wild case.KSI on Conor McGregor “I’m just gonna keep my cards close to my chest. And if the Conor McGregor fight makes sense, then we’ll do it.“But again, I just don’t see him being in that right state of mind to be fighting. I think he’s too busy enjoying himself and that’s perfectly fine.”McGregor has not fought in the UFC since July 2021 and has been out since after suffering a brutal leg break in his last bout. He was due to return in June against Michael Chandler, 38, but a toe injury KOd the clash with it yet to be rescheduled. KSI is nursing a hand injury that has taken him off fighting in his event – so he will instead put on a music performance for the 3Arena.He said: “I’m gonna be working more on the music just to wrap that up again because I feel like I’ve kind of neglected it a little bit.READ MORE SUN STORIES“I’ve got a few bangers just in the locker that I’d eventually like to release.“And then in terms of fighting once I’m back to punching, it’d be good to maybe do one or two fights next year and then see how I feel from there. Still do YouTube etc. Just keep it moving.” More

  • in

    Jake Paul reveals behind-the-scenes talks are underway with boxing chiefs in bid to secure shock world title fight 

    JAKE PAUL is in behind-the-scenes talks with boxing chiefs in a bid to map out a shock world title shot. The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter is 10-1 in the ring with his only loss coming against Tommy Fury via split-decision in 2023. Jake Paul has his eyes on boxing titlesPaul wants to rematch Fury but first returns on November 15 in Texas against Mike Tyson in a controversial clash scrutinised for the age gap. But the outspoken American still harbours lofty ambitions of one day challenging for the cruiserweight world championship. He was even backed by WBA president Gilberto Mendoza to fight former super-middleweight champ Julio Cesar Chavez Jr for some form of title. And Paul is speaking with the governing bodies in the background to put himself in a position to fight for boxing gold. READ MORE IN BOXINGHe said at a Professional Fighters League event: “There’s definitely conversations going on behind the scenes.”I think Gilbert from the WBA wanted me and Julio Chavez to fight for a belt, like a regional.”I don’t know what the belt would be exactly but definitely starting to have those conversations.”And after some of these big fights, maybe the Tommy rematch or maybe Tyson all these things, then I’m gonna be focusing on the path to world champion.”Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSThe WBC were willing to rank Paul, 27, if he had beaten Fury, 25, in their celebrity grudge match. And he has also worked with the WBO for his charitable boxing organisation to further improve his relationships outside the ring. Paul still has his eyes on a rematch with Fury after facing 58-year-old Tyson before turning his attention on the title belts. He said: “It’s just a timing thing. I think it could happen end of next year or early 2026.”But when the timing’s right, we’re gonna just go for it and see what happens. “I think it also depends on like the Tommy Fury fight and any other big name fights that come up. “There’s discussions with some other big names behind the scenes. So it really just depends on how those conversations go. “That’s why I think end of next year or early 2026 we’ll start to like target a sanctioning body and then just go up the rankings.”Jake Paul wants to rematch Tommy FuryCredit: GettyMike Tyson returns to boxing to fight Jake PaulCredit: EPA More

  • in

    Jake Paul reveals staggering amount he will have earned in boxing after Mike Tyson fight

    JAKE PAUL admits even he is blown away by the fact his boxing earnings are about to reach $100MILLION. The YouTuber-turned-boxer burst onto the fight scene in 2020 with his polarising career in the ring continuing to print money. Mike Tyson with Jake Paul ahead of their November 15 fightCredit: EPAHe returns on November 15 in Texas against Mike Tyson in what is his most controversial but lucrative fight yet. Paul has boasted about making $40m (£31m) alone for the fight – which marks Netflix’s first move into live boxing. And that will shoot his overall earnings to $100m (£75m) for the man who just six years ago was the star of Disney Channel show Bizaardvark. With a grin, Paul said: “Not bad at all, man, I can’t believe it. I’ve already exceeded all my own expectations in life and boxing and everything.READ MORE IN BOXING”So whatever happens next is just gravy and I’m just having fun with it and trying to inspire other kids because I’m literally from Ohio.”Middle of this town grew up with a blue collar family and didn’t know what any of this world is. “And so it really shows like if you want to do something, you just gotta go for it.”Paul earned $30m (£22.7m) in his only ever defeat to Tommy Fury, 25, in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Most read in BoxingCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERSIn 2021, Forbes listed him among boxing’s top earners with £30m made, while he pocketed around £10m for beating Nate Diaz, 39, in 2023. Paul, 27, was due to fight Tyson, 58, on July 20 but the beloved boxing icon pulled out amid a health precaution. Jake Paul rubs salt into ‘dumbass’ Tommy Fury’s wounds as he offers Molly-Mae a JOB after boxing rival’s shock break-upHis team suggested backup opponents to fill in but Netflix remained adamant Iron Mike must headline in their inaugural boxing event. Paul later stopped bare-knuckle boxing champion Mike Perry, 32, in the meantime while Tyson made a recovery. So the controversial clash – scrutinised for the three-decade age gap – has been postponed but Netflix are well and truly in the Jake Paul business. He said: “They’ve expressed interest in wanting to work with Most Valuable Promotions and me and Nakisa [Bidarian] moving forward but in terms of opponents, we haven’t gone into discussions.”But I definitely think once this is a massive success, I think there’ll be 50 to 70 million viewers live and that’ll break so many streaming records.”Once that happens, I believe Netflix will wanna do more things with MVP.”Paul hosted the press conference between Francis Ngannou, 37, and Renan Ferreira, 34, ahead of their Professional Fighters League clash on October 19 in Saudi Arabia. The American is signed to the PFL to make his MMA debut – but he warned his immediate future remains in the ring. READ MORE SUN STORIESPaul said: “It’ll most likely be boxing unless a name comes up and there’s a new free agent, most likely we will go back to boxing.”But like I said, I’m ready for MMA, we just need to find the right person.”Jake Paul is close to earning $100m from boxing More