Sign up to our free sport newsletter for all the latest news on everything from cycling to boxing

Sign up to our free sport email for all the latest news

Misfits Boxing, the promotion launched by YouTube star KSI, has returned its licence with the Professional Boxing Association (PBA).

The PBA claimed on Friday (12 January) that it had suspended Misfits’ licence “in the interest of boxer safety”, accusing the promotion of “clear violations of the PBA’s rules and regulations” and “bringing boxing into disrepute”. Misfits disputed the suggestion that its licence had been revoked, however, with a representative telling The Independent that the promotion had “handed back” its licence.

Since 2022, Misfits has staged numerous boxing events with the help of Wasserman Boxing, with KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji) headlining several of them. Most recently, the YouTube star fought Tommy Fury – the half-brother of heavyweight champion Tyson – in October.

The performances of both Britons were widely criticised after the fight, which Fury won via decision. The result was in fact changed due to an error on the scorecards, though both the original and amended results had Fury winning.

Five months earlier, the PBA overturned KSI’s knockout win over Joe Fournier due to the YouTuber’s use of an illegal elbow strike.

On the undercard of KSI vs Fury, former mixed martial artist Dillon Danis made his boxing debut against social-media star Logan Paul. Danis attempted a jiu-jitsu choke in the final round, leading security to enter the ring as a brawl broke out between the two Americans. Paul was then declared the winner by disqualification – a result that Danis appealed with the PBA.

Misfits is due to stage an event at the First Direct Arena in Leeds on 20 January, headlined by a fight between TikTok star Ed Matthews and a mystery opponent.

Click here to subscribe to The Independent’s Sport YouTube channel for all the latest sports videos.

Read More