Jake Paul has slammed KSI for taking an "easy" fight against his friend Swarmz rather than accepting the American's challenge. Watch the video below:
KSI, real name Olajide Olatunji, announced on Saturday that he would be fighting rapper Swarmz at the O2 Arena on August 27 after his original opponent Alex Wassabi was forced to pull out of the event with a concussion.
Paul had offered to step in as a last-minute replacement for Wassabi after his own fight against Hasim Rahman Jr was cancelled with seven days' notice following a disagreement over the weight limit for the bout.
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In a video posted on Twitter, Paul said: "Oh KSI's fight man… I heard the news, it sucks for Alex obviously he has a concussion he can't fight but now this puts KSI in a corner.
"If he doesn't accept the fight with me we all just know that he's scared. KSI I will come to London I will weigh 180lb for the fight, you can be the A-side, what's your excuse? Do you accept?"
Paul later added: "My manager just told me KSI is down but only if I fight him for free and he keeps all the revenue. That’s what they offering… I said hurry the f*** up and send me the contract."
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However, KSI confirmed on Saturday night that he would instead face Swarmz, releasing a promotional image for the fight on social media.
Paul has now ridiculed KSI over his choice of opponent for his long-awaited return to the ring.
"Guys, this is absolutely absurd what KSI just did here," Paul said in a video published on Twitter.
"He is now fighting one of his friends. Talk about getting paid to take a dive. He is fighting a rapper, that is his friend, they’ve made songs together, who has never fought before.
"The dude has a t-shirt on in the fight poster. They don't even have a picture of this guy shirtless. What the f*** is going on?
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"This event should be for free. Even KSI's fans are saying 'what the f*** is going on KSI?' They want to sell their tickets to the event.
"This is what I was expecting KSI. You're taking an easy fight, an easy way out. Your friend is just going to take a dive. This event should be for free, otherwise you're f*****g your fans over."
KSI later hit back at Paul, writing on Twitter: "I will honor my word to my fans and to my opponent because my word means something unlike yours.
"The show will go on on August 27th and you or MVP won’t have a thing to do with it. Enjoy your night out buddy."
KSI also said he would be willing to face Paul in the future, potentially in a mega-fight at Wembley.
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"We will fight on my terms and when we do, it'll be done on the biggest stage. I'm talking Wembley stadium fam. With a full camp tailored just for you and I, so that there are no excuses when we fight. None of this short notice s***," he added.
Paul holds an unbeaten professional record of 5-0, having last beaten former UFC champion Tyron Woodley in a rematch in December.
KSI, meanwhile, has fought just once professionally, beating Paul's older brother Logan via a split decision back in 2019.
Rory O'Callaghan