KSI, Ryan Garcia and Liam Smith gave their thoughts as the world prepares for Sunday’s long-awaited fight between Jake Paul and Tommy Fury.
The unbeaten pair have tried to fight twice before, once in 2021 and again last year. The first bout had to be called off because of a fractured rib and a bacterial chest infection for Fury, while the British fighter struggled with visa problems in the run-up to the second fight that was due to go ahead in the United States.
However, the duo will now meet on February 26 in Saudi Arabia to settle their rivalry, in a fight shown live on DAZN on PPV in Canada and Brazil.
DAZN went back over recent months for some of the biggest names in boxing’s opinions.
KSI, a fellow crossover fighter, said he maintained his presence in boxing at this stage purely to take on Paul at some point down the line.
He said: “I didn’t do boxing for yours and I came back because I wanted to f—k up Jake Paul. That’s the main reason I’ve come back. That's my goal and where I’m aiming for and shows the type of person I am and mindset I have.
“It’s weird but they’re two different people,” he said of the Paul brothers.
“I respect Logan and I respect Jake, especially because he gets into the ring but besides that I draw the line.
“I just want to f—k him up. I want to prove to everyone that even though I’m doing everything else I still find time to destroy everything that he’s created.”
Liam Smith backed his countryman to go come through the test.
He said: “I do think it’s a good fight, I’ve always said I think that Jake is the best of the YouTubers.
“I think Tommy Fury is still learning his craft. I think he didn't have much amateur pedigree but I think I’d have to go with Fury, just for the boxing.”
Ryan Garcia summed up his feelings thus: “Jake Paul, funny, honest at times, and my friend.”