KSI retires from boxing at Misfits 30, returns as Misfits CEO

KSI is officially done boxing. At Misfits Boxing’s Oct 10 show at London’s Copper Box Arena, he told the crowd: I want to make an announcement — ‘The Nightmare’ has retired.

He is not leaving the sport, though. Sports Illustrated reports the Misfits co-founder is back as the company’s CEO, an executive role rather than a fighting one.

The announcement

KSI, 33, last fought in October 2023, when he lost a six-round unanimous decision to Tommy Fury. A retroactive appeal over that result was unsuccessful, per SI. SI says he first announced his retirement on a podcast last year; Oct 10 was the in-ring version.

The Venom signing

KSI also announced that Misfits had signed Michael “Venom” Page, a UFC and Bellator veteran. SI says Page is 2-0 as a boxer and has not fought in the ring since 2018.

KSI on the signing: Michael ‘Venom’ Page is one of the biggest names in combat sports and everyone wanted him. Page’s reply: I feel free, that’s all I can say.

The Jake Paul angle

SI says KSI used the moment to rant about Jake Paul, repeating an expletive three times, which Yahoo’s live blog also noted. That lands the same week Paul posted a wish list of potential fights that included KSI’s name, though with KSI retired, that match is no longer on the table. SI says the two have been business rivals for years but never came close to finalizing a fight, and that the feud had cooled before Paul put KSI on his list.

Who else was there

DAZN notes KSI also faced off with Joe Weller, his first opponent, at the card, which was headlined by Joey Essex vs. Dapper Laughs. (We cover that fight separately.)

Why the Misfits crowd cares

DAZN describes KSI as a figurehead for the brand in recent years, with Mams Taylor helping drive the promotion, and says he is turning toward success beyond the ring. DAZN and SI both put his last fight at the October 2023 loss to Tommy Fury.