Revealed
NO KS-I IN TEAM
THE TRAINING team KSI will use in his rematch against Logan Paul has been revealed - and he will be guided by his best friend and uncle of Floyd Mayweather.
KSI - real name Olajide William Olatunji - has turned professional to face off against American rival Logan- after the duo boxed to a draw in an exhibition bout last year.
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And after being accused of using the “Mayweather B-Team” - KSI revealed he will add some fresh faces to his camp, while remaining faithful to his prior training team.
Here SunSport profiles each member involved in the 26-year-old’s fight camp.
HEAD TRAINER - VIDDAL RILEY
The gamer has been coached by former English amateur boxing representative Viddal Riley - now 3-0 as a professional cruiserweight - since his win against Joe Weller last year.
But Viddal, who is trained by Jeff Mayweather, will introduce the uncle of ring legend Floyd into KSI’s team, but remains in charge of the training.
Viddal competed for West Ham Boxing Club, winning 41 of 49 bouts representing England 11 times and becoming a five-time English and three-time GB champion.
The Londoner was campaigning for a spot on the Tokyo 2020 Olympic squad.
But amazingly he accompanied KSI to the Mayweather Boxing club to shoot a YouTube video in March 2018 and impressed so much in sparring he was signed by Jeff Mayweather on the spot.
He has since recorded two knockout victories and one points win but has now turned his attention on coaching pal “JJ” for his first pro fight.
The pair formed a bond after Viddal began training a host of KSI’s YouTube friends, and have since been boxing side by side with each other since beating Weller last year.
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JEFF MAYWEATHER - TEAM ADVISOR
Jeff is yet to be involved in one of KSI’s fights, but after years of experience alongside brothers Floyd Sr and Roger coaching in Las Vegas, the 55-year-old is a welcomed recruit.
The former IBO super-featherweight champion was a part in Floyd Jr’s early career and trained ex-champions Sultan Ibragimov and Celestino Caballero as well as UFC veteran Roy Nelson.
He began coaching Viddal in June 2018 after signing the prospect but will only act as a “team advisor” for KSI.
Floyd Sr shot a YouTube video with Jeff last year as they ran through boxing drills with KSI at the Mayweather Boxing club in Vegas.
And KSI travelled to Dubai to watch Viddal score his third career win in May, on points against Austine Nnamdi, and the internet star posed with Jeff in the ring.
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STITCH DURAN - CUTMAN
Jacob Duran - known as “Stitch” - is the most famous cutman in boxing and MMA.
Working alongside greats such as Andre Ward and Amir Khan, Duran also grew a famous bond with Wladimir Klitschko.
The pair met on set of Ocean's Eleven in 2001, and Stitch would go on to be a part of Klitschko’s world title career.
He was even referred to as “Dad” by the heavyweight legend after the Ukrainian was beaten by Anthony Joshua in 2017.
Duran also worked alongside UFC legends Anderson Silva, Georges St-Pierre, Lyoto Machida, Forrest Griffin and Cain Velasquez.
Despite regularly hanging out at the Mayweather Boxing club, Stitch was famously snubbed by Floyd Jr.
Instead the late Rafael Garcia, known as “Grandad” to the boxing legend, was chosen to look after Mayweather’s brittle hands and work as a cutman.
Duran insisted if he was given the chance to wrap the welterweight’s tools he would have been given the assignment.
Stitch has also featured in three Rocky films, while also appearing in the two follow on Creed movies.
AMER ABDALLAH - US CAMP MANAGER
Amer Abdallah, a kickboxing world champion, created Lace Up Promotions and became manager to two-weight boxing champion Badou Jack.
Trained himself by Jeff Mayweather, now the two work in management to guide Viddal.
Abdallah is in charge of overseeing KSI’s camp when he travels over to Las Vegas in the second part of his fight camp.
He is also the business manager of Floyd Sr, Jeff and Jack.
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LEON WILLS - TRAINER
Trainer Leon Wills will act as a boxing and strength and conditioning coach for KSI, having been with the internet star for his two prior bouts.
A conditioning specialist Wills has also trained Viddal and KSI’s YouTube friends such as AnEsonGib.
He has worked as a padman for the social media powerhouse, despite Viddal being the head coach, but will be in charge of the fitness work.
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LARRY WADE - STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING
American coach Larry Wade - who works alongside professionals in boxing, NFL, NBA and MLB - is introduced to KSI’s team for the first time.
Legendary in his field, Wade currently trains current champions Shawn Porter and Caleb Plant, along with Badou Jack and Joe Joyce.
He is a former track and field athlete, competing in the 110 metres hurdle, but turned to coaching after retirement in 2007.
Wade will be introduced to work alongside Wills and increase KSI’s power and strength.
All you need to know ahead of KSI vs Logan Paul 2
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