KSI is a Youtube superstar with over 19 million subscribers – and he’s taking the plunge into pro boxing. Here’s everything you need to know about the online sensation, from vlogging to rapping, and how many people watched his dramatic draw with Logan Paul. Who is KSI and what is his real name? KSI was […]
KSI is a Youtube superstar with over 19 million subscribers – and he’s taking the plunge into pro boxing.
Here’s everything you need to know about the online sensation, from vlogging to rapping, and how many people watched his dramatic draw with Logan Paul.
KSI was born June 19, 1993, and is an English YouTube personality, rapper, comedian and actor.
The 26-year-old’s real name is Olajide William “JJ” Olatunji.
He attended the independent Berkhamsted School alongside future Sideman member and YouTube collaborator Simon Minter, better known as miniminter.
KSI, which stands for knowledge, strength, integrity, first arrived on the YouTube scene in 2009, originally posting videos about video games.
Since 2009, KSI’s channel has reached over four billion video views with over 19 million subscribers. He also earned an NME Award for Vlogger of the Year in 2016.
In addition to his YouTube career, the 25-year-old has released two EPs as a rapper, which have both topped the UK R&B Albums Chart.
In 2015, he was ranked as the UK’s most influential YouTube creator, with his brother Deji, otherwise known by his handle Comedy Shorts Gamer, ranking second.
In 2016, he made his feature film debut in the comedy Laid in America alongside fellow YouTube star Casper Lee.
He was also a founding member of the online group The Sidemen, which are the product of seven British YouTubers. In 2018, they launched their own premium web TV series.
However, he was the centre of controversy in 2012 after a Eurogamer event due to supposed sexual harassment of attendees.
Microsoft cut ties with him and he was banned for life from the expo.
He addressed the controversy in his 2015 autobiography, entitled KSI: I Am A B*****d.
With a great shock to everyone, the judges announced a majority draw for their boxing match on August 25, 2018.
The judges scored it: 57-58 in favour of KSI, 57-57, 57-57.
Paul came out strong and easily won the first two rounds, providing a shock to most in the arena.
Despite the impressive start the American started to tire and KSI made the most of it landing a number of important double punches in the third round.
As the clock ticked down, punches were landed on both sides and fans could tell it was going to be a close one as the judges kept the boxers and the fans waiting.
It took seconds after the decision was announced for a rematch to be agreed and the pair continued to have words in the ring.
Logan Paul said: “I feel like I won the fight, but this rematch is going to be crazy!”
More than 15,000 watched it inside the Manchester Arena, and a massive 784,000 bought it on YouTube pay-per-view.
The pair will rematch on November 9, with the Staples Centre in LA set to host the bout.
On July 18, 2018, KSI appeared on Good Morning Britain.
Host Piers Morgan poked fun at him for having two million fewer followers on Twitter.
He set him a challenge – whoever got the most retweets on one message in an hour would be hailed “King Of The Internet.”
KSI won the bet by gaining 4,000 more retweets than Piers.
KSI has a net worth of £3.3m, according to reports.
He has amassed over four billion views on YouTube.
