KSI’s latest victory has been overturned after a PBA ruling declared that he knocked Joe Fournier out with an accidental elbow strike.
Saturday night witnessed the highly anticipated comeback of ‘The Nightmare’ as the YouTube megastar faced what was touted as the most challenging bout of his career against a 9-0 Joe Fournier.
Following what was a fairly one-sided start to the fight, the big moment came in round two as KSI landed a colossal overhand right which rocked Fournier, prompting him to quickly pursue a decisive finish. Attempting to throw a right hook, KSI’s strike missed its mark, leading to an inadvertent follow-through with a forearm/elbow, which ultimately sent Fournier crashing to the canvas.
Controversy ensued all over the internet but not before KSI was awarded a knockout victory as Fournier was counted out by the referee who hadn’t seen the elbow land in real-time. However, after an appeal from Joe Fournier, the PBA reviewed the footage and cases made by both sides and has come to a conclusion.
PBA Overturn KSI’s Knockout Win Over Joe Fournier
The official statement read “Today, on 19th May 2023 Mr Joe Fournier and KSI were advised of a ‘Reviewed Decision’ that was undertaken by Mr Gareth Morris, the referee in charge of the bout on Saturday 13th May 2023 at the OVO Arena, Wembley, London, United Kingdom.
“Mr Fournier had submitted a protest and KSI responded following KSI’s Technical Knockout win in the second round of the fight.
“After a thorough review of the evidence and representations, along with the assistance of Mr Micky Vann (the Supervisor in charge) and an eminent Barrister (Mr Gul Nawaz Hussain KC of 33 Bedford Row Chambers, London) where necessary, Mr Morris came to an independent decision.
“Even though KSI was winning the fight, the blow with the forearm/elbow has been found to be accidental and the obvious disappointment that will follow, it has been decided that the contest is declared a No Decision in accordance with the Rules.
“The PBA has conducted the review properly, fairly, and with legal assistance throughout as the bout was sanctioned and regulated under the unified rules of boxing. We have ensured that this process was conducted swiftly and fairly to uphold the integrity of boxing.”
Quotes via Talksport
KSI took to Twitter in response to the news, the decision alleviates fears of a disqualification which would’ve marked the only loss on his record.
Joe Fournier’s Response to the Elbow Controversy
Joe told Fred Talks Fighting immediately after the fight “You have all seen the videos they have gone viral. He cheated, it’s clear, you’ve all seen the replays. He hit me with a clean elbow. When you’re fighting the promoter on his own show – I’ve never been cheated like that.
“He should be disqualified, that should go down as a loss. I came on this promotion to teach kids what to do, to do the right thing and be ethical not to cheat if you win. They clearly cheated after that, it is a f***ing embarrassment to the sport of boxing. It was a right hand that went past and then I felt the elbow.”
Joe went on to demand a rematch stating “I thought it was either a headbutt and an elbow. Of course you have got to run it back. You cannot walk up to someone in a fight and elbow them it isn’t MMA. I’m fresh and brand new. If the PBA want to actually become a real commission, they can’t let that s*** go. On the screen everywhere in the world, they can’t say they didn’t see that.”
Whilst it’s easy to see where Joe’s frustration comes from, a rematch is a hard sell at this point. With Fournier posing such little threat & KSI looking more like the pro in there, public interest wanes. From the first shot he took, Fournier only threw his shots from well out of range & once the overland landed the end seemed inevitable. For the very same reasons, it also feels unlikely that the elbow was deliberately thrown as Joe believes.
KSI’s Response
KSI told Ariel Helwani “That one moment has just destroyed or just ruined everything that I worked for. And I don’t know, it was just frustrating, and it really pissed me off if I’m being honest, because I’m looking online and everyone was like, ‘Elbow, elbow, forearm, you cheated, you cheat, you cheat, should be disqualified.’ And I’m like, bro, I just went for a right hook. I went for a right hook because I knew he was trying to clinch me. I don’t know, it was frustrating.”
When questioned on Fournier’s accusations towards him, the YouTuber-turned-boxer was bewildered by the claim.
“I just think that’s ludicrous,” KSI said. “I’m winning the fight. I’m winning everything about the fight. I literally rocked you with an overhand. Why would I want to elbow you, bro? It’s just so ludicrous. It literally makes no sense. And like I said, it makes sense if I was losing the fight and I’m desperate — OK, fine. But there was no desperation.
“I was fit, two rounds in, I was comfortable, I hit him with several big shots, and he was shook. He was shook and he was scrambling. He needed saving.”
Quotes via MMAFighting
Despite the PBA decision, it’s likely this dispute will go on. Nevertheless, Joe Fournier’s calls for a rematch will likely fall on deaf ears.
What’s Next For KSI
Despite the controversial turn of events, KSI now finds himself in a unique position. Megafights are on the horizon & next up KSI has set his sights on one fight. With the man who sparked his return to boxing & his long-term rival, Jake Paul booked to box Nate Diaz in August, he sees the opportunity to one-up Jake by accomplishing what he couldn’t—defeating Tommy Fury. The pair faced off in the ring after the main event on Saturday night & if rumours are to be believed, a deal is close.
The biggest fights of KSI’s career await him. The warm up-fights are done with & it’s out of the frying pan and into the fire from here. Though many don’t give him a chance against Fury, he and his team at London Shootfighters feel he’s ready. Regardless, the world will be watching what will be an absolutely huge fight in the UK. And ultimately, whatever your opinion of his skill, very few embrace and thrive under that pressure like KSI.
Was it the right decision to overturn KSI’s knockout victory? Should it have been left as a win or even a disqualification loss? Does KSI have a chance against Tommy Fury? Let us know in the comments below!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
