Jake Paul vs. KSI—years in making but never exactly going through. The fight has traction; fans have demanded it, and both fighters are willing to have a go at each other, too. So, what’s the missing block? For the British boxer, it’s because Nakisa Bidarian was terrified of the potential fight. But why is it so?

Paul vs. KSI almost always reaches an agreement, only to falter at the last moment. But KSI, 31, believed Bidarian was behind it. He explained it in a conversation with IFL TV, where he expressed how a potential loss could mark the end of ‘Problem Child’s boxing career and his huge paydays. That’s not it. It could result in a collapse of MVP, too.

KSI said, “Me versus Jake is this huge fight that Nakisa sees, and he’s terrified of it. Because if I fight Jake and beat him everything, his whole empire, MVP, collapses like there is no MVP. That’s why, for him, Nakisa sake, he’s there, like, ‘let me just squeeze all the money I can get from Jake before we eventually maybe go for the KSI-Jake Paul fight. That’s just it.”

The YouTuber-turned-prizefighter revealed a fear of loss was the reason behind Paul, 27, picking up easier opponents and securing a huge payday rather than picking a tough fight. He also detailed how the Mike Tyson fight fit into the same rhetoric. KSI concludes, “It’s just business, straight business with Nakisa and he is much rather have an easier fight, much rather fight someone like Mike Tyson.”

Does that mean fans will never get a Paul vs. KSI? It’s not that simple. The foremost issue is weight class. And KSI’s manager is willing to make it happen.

Jake Paul vs. KSI: finding middle ground

With the fight with ‘Iron Mike,’ Paul, at 11-1, breached the 220 lbs mark and made his heavyweight debut. But the same fight made him realize he was best suited for a cruiserweight division limit of 194. However, KSI hasn’t reached there. So, Mams Taylor told DAZN PPV, “The Jake fight is something we’ve wanted and there was talk of a coin toss [for determining weight class], We said, ‘Fine, let’s do a coin toss.'”

Taylor also pointed out the negotiations would have been about finding a middle ground around the weight category. But that was not the case. It was a hard line drawn with ‘take it or leave it,’ which hampered their fight. With KSI’s latest comments, the complete picture was of Bidarian trying to ensure his client bigger paydays before luck runs out. It remains to be seen how long he can do it.

What do you make of these comments by KSI about Jake Paul? Do you believe a fight between them is possible? Let us know in the comments below.