Heavyweight sensation Anthony Joshua believes influencer boxing is good for the sport ahead of KSI’s clash with Tommy Fury.
The 33-year-old was speaking to the YouTube star ahead of his showdown with Tyson Fury’s younger brother in Manchester.
While many fighters and pundits have said that it is giving the sport of boxing a bad name, AJ reveals he would like to feature on a crossover card in the near future.
Speaking to BBC ahead of KSI’s clash with Fury, when asked if Joshua would like to feature on the same card as the YouTube star, he said: ‘Yeah. Look at this card there is now.
‘Imagine if you throw a few more names in the fight industry on the card. ‘It just grows the sport and it could definitely happen.’
Former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua could fight on the same card as KSI in the future
KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, has become a big star since making the switch to influencer boxing
Joshua, who brutally knocked out Robert Helenius in his last fight back in August, also gave his thoughts on influencers making the crossover into boxing.
’10 out of 10. I’m telling you, it’s good for boxing, said AJ.
‘You could fight someone that is well-known, credible, who can fight, marketable, without a championship and have that same affect early on in your career and still have the all the rewards.
‘They are showing that there is so much potential in boxing regardless of championships.’
As for KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, the social media star claims that he has got some respect from the boxing world following the success he has had in the sport over the last few years.
‘Yeah 100 per cent. At first, people wanted to shy away from it all and just rebel against it, but now people see the work I put in,’ said Olatunji.
The 33-year-old claims that social media boxing continues to grow the sport
YouTube star KSI is set to go head-to-head with Tommy Fury in Manchester this weekend
‘I’m sparring pros and they are seeing the work and they are going ‘ok I get it, I understand. He is actually putting in the work and he is actually training hard’. October 14, you’ll see.’
Olatunji saw his TKO victory over Joe Fournier overturned, with the result changed to a ‘no decision’ following a post-fight review in his last fight.
‘The Nightmare’ appeared to have ended the contest in the second round. However, replays showed the knockout blow had come from a forearm – with PBA deciding that the elbow was accidental, therefore changing the result to a ‘no decision.’
As for Fury, the 24-year comes into the fight off the back of a split-decision win against Jake Paul earlier this year.