Featured Image Credit: Misfits Boxing/ X
Topics: KSI, Andrew Tate, Boxing, YouTube
Ben McCrum
KSI has released a furious statement after controversial social media influencer Andrew Tate replaced him as CEO of Misfits boxing ahead of his debut fight.
In May 2022, British YouTuber KSI, his manager Mams Taylor, and boxing promoters Kalle Sauerland and Nisse Sauerland set up Misfits boxing, a promotion for events featuring influencers and former combat sport professionals.
The first event saw KSI take on two fights in one night, beating both English rapper Swarmz and Mexican professional boxer Luis Alcaraz Pineda via knockout.
Since then, the promotion has organised 22 events in total, the last featuring former UFC stars Darren Till and Luke Rockhold, but recently announced a major shakeup as KSI has been removed as boxing CEO, with controversial Tate replacing him.
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Not only has Tate taken the YouTuber's position in the business, but he will also make his Misfits boxing debut in a fight in December, and KSI isn't happy about it.
Misfit's announcement that Tate was the company's new CEO, a role described by Tate as the 'Combat Executive Officer', came alongside confirmation that he would fight reigning Misfits Boxing heavyweight champion Chase De Moor on December 20th in Dubai.
Sources close to DAZN told BBC Sport in August that Tate, who holds a pro kickboxing record of 76-9-1, would not become involved with Misfits, despite holding advanced negotiations to appear at an event this year.
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And it's clearly not gone down well with former Misfits CEO and founder KSI, who took to X to share a series of furious posts reacting to the news.
He wrote: "This year people are trying to test me fr. WHAT THE ACTUAL F*** IS GOING ON? This is the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Let’s make ANDREW TATE THE CEO OF MISFITS?!? ARE YOU F****** SERIOUS?!?"
In a series of follow-up posts, KSI lashed out at his manager Taylor, claiming: "Bro has been focused on misfits rather than managing me lol. And you decide to do this shit"
However, many fans are skeptical of the YouTuber's outrage, claiming that it is likely WWE-style setup for a potential fight with Tate, should he win his fight against De Moor in December.
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Following his back-to-back wins in the first Misfits event, KSI took to the microphone to call out Tate, perhaps suggesting that he would still be interested in a bout with the former kickboxer, despite his ongoing legal battles and controversial opinions.
Tate's controversial inclusion in Misfits boxing comes as the 38-year-old faces several serious legal challenges around the world, some of which also involve his brother Tristan Tate.
In the UK, four women are suing Tate over allegations of sexual violence, one alleging that he grabbed her by the throat on several occasions in 2015, pointed a gun in her face and assaulted her with a belt.
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Tate has repeatedly denied the claims, submitting a written defence to the High Court in which he called them a "pack of lies" and "gross fabrications".
In Romania, both Andrew and Tristan are facing criminal charges including human trafficking, trafficking of minors and money laundering, while Andrew also faces allegations of rape.
Meanwhile the pair are also under criminal investigation in the US state of Florida.