Classless and unprofessional. That’s what Tommy Fury calls KSI for the latter’s actions during their open workouts. Melee, trash-talking, and maybe a little too much glitz of entertainment have marred the upcoming Misfits event this Saturday. Blood and abuse are both being drawn in the typical influencer boxing event. However, the proceedings hit a low, and the event descended into chaos when KSI spat at John Fury.
With KSI and Tommy Fury set to clash in the squared circle on October 14, John Fury has registered his presence in the press conferences. The situation always becomes volatile whenever the 59-year-old walks to the center stage. The scenes of him flipping tables at the first presser are still fresh in the fans’ memories. A similar situation developed when KSI tried to heckle Tommy Fury during the open workouts, and John Fury hurled a water bottle at him.
KSI antics: an overreaction, heat of the moment, or an assault on boxing spirit?
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While Tommy Fury tried to converse with the media, the British YouTuber taunted him from a gantry above him, shouting, “P*ssy! Look at me! Look at me when I’m talking to you, p*ssy!” This didn’t sit well with John Fury, who never shies away from taking matters into his own hands. He picked the nearest projectile, a water bottle, and launched it at him.
Initially flabbergasted and then angered, KSI spat his gum at John Fury. While he missed his shot, as expected, it turned into a full-blown altercation, with choice words flung from both sides. In the viral clip, KSI could be heard threatening to slap John Fury. “I get to slap you after I beat your son. I can’t wait,” KSI said.
In response, John Fury added, “Come down here! Come down here! I’ll f*ck you. I’ll f*ck you! … Three days until you’re over and join Jake Paul.” However, the hostilities of the evening didn’t stop there, and he later clashed with Logan and Jake’s father, Greg Paul. The tensions between KSI and John Fury have been soaring since the first presser, where both almost came to blow for blow.
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Was KSI’s action necessary? John Fury’s actions certainly didn’t mandate such a big reaction from the internet phenomenon. But was it against the emotion of sportsmanship? Now, that’s a gray area. The boxing community has infamously seen Mauricio Lara spit at Josh Warrington moments after knocking out Leigh Wood earlier this year.
What KSI did was perfectly aligned with what influencer boxing brings to the table. The theatrics of influencer boxing bring that extra spice to the boxing world. It’s not glory in the squared ring, but the profitability and selling of a fight, which is central to it. Some purists might not like it, but that’s what defines influencer boxing. It also doesn’t mean KSI doesn’t feel remorse over his actions.
A response to disrespect and the willingness to learn from errors
The 30-year-old influencer recently opened up about his actions and admitted the moment got the better of him. He regrets his actions and disclosed it’s the fight-week adrenaline that was making him act differently.
In a BBC story, the social media star said, “I spat my chewing gum out. Yes, obviously [I regret that], that’s not how I am. Outside of this boxing industry, I’m a very calm, chill guy. Adrenaline is up, obviously, it’s fight week. Everyone is getting rowdy.”
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“Yeah, I felt like he disrespected me, throwing the water bottle at me. So I disrespected him back. But outside of this, that’s not how I am, and that’s not what I would do,” he added. Following this, KSI owned up to the responsibility he carries as a role model to millions. He also admitted he was a human being, and therefore he might do some things wrong or right. He is not perfect, but he wants people to look up to him and feel inspired.
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What do you make of this spitting act by KSI at John Fury? Has influencer boxing gone too far? Let us know in the comments below.
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