KSI Confirms Slim vs. Anthony Taylor Is Off; Fans Indifferent to Canceled Bout

After days of speculation and rumors, rapper, YouTube content creator, and boxer KSI (real name Olajide “JJ” Olatunji) has confirmed that his fight against both Sulieman “Slim” Albaher and Anthony Taylor on August 31 in Dublin has been canceled due to an undisclosed injury.

Rumors around the fate of the 17th Misfits Boxing event spread after promotional posters and tweets were reportedly deleted from social media accounts associated with the event. Albaher released a video on Monday titled “My Fight with KSI is Cancelled.”

In the five-minute video, Albaher branded KSI “disrespectful” for acting like “nothing is going on” on social media.

He said: “Imagine just chasing a fight for years, finally getting the opportunity, doing a whole press conference, face-off, going to England, training your ass off for weeks, missing your whole New York City beautiful summer, just for it to fall on your face like that?”

Confirmation as to the future of the fight came from KSI himself on Thursday afternoon. The Sidemen member stated that the bout is “off” due to his “battling with an injury” since he began training for the event.

“Unfortunately, this has worsened during camp, which is why you haven’t seen my usual enthusiasm. Despite my best efforts to push through the pain, it has reached a point where I can no longer spar or even hit pads or do bag work. On my doctor’s orders, I have been advised to withdraw from Misfits 017 at the 3Arena in Dublin on August 31st,” he said.

In the lengthy statement on Twitter/X, KSI added he will be “back” to fighting “soon” and apologized to fans, Albaher, and Taylor, as well as “everyone involved who might feel let down by this decision.”

He continued: “The event will still go ahead! Misfits 017 marks our two-year anniversary, so we’ll make sure it’s special. In addition to the fights, I’ll be commentating and performing some of my new songs with some exciting surprises.”

The “Holiday” singer said anyone unhappy with KSI’s new role in the event can request refunds via their point of purchase, with Misfits adding they are available to ticket holders until next Thursday.

“I can’t wait to see you there and celebrate this special occasion together! Thank you for your understanding and continued support,” he concluded.

However, many weren’t interested in the detailed statement, with people responding that they weren’t “reading all that” and asking for it to be summarized “in one sentence.”

Meanwhile, Taylor was praised for his response to the statement in a now-deleted X/Twitter post, in which he said he wished his former opponent “nothing but good health.”

Albaher is yet to comment publicly on the news.

Source: Indy100