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Josh Taylor Slams YouTube Boxing: ‘Computer Geeks Acting F***ing Hard’

Written by Kerr Ferguson on 21st January 2023.

Josh Taylor

It’s safe to say that Josh Taylor is no fan of YouTube boxing.

With his super-lightweight win over Jose Ramirez, Taylor became the first British fighter to become undisputed in the four-belt era, and only the second man from Scotland to hold all belts in a division after the legendary lightweight, Ken Buchanan.

Having such close ties to the very elite of the sport, it’s perhaps no surprise that Taylor isn’t a fan of some of the ‘crossover’ bouts that are becoming ever-more popular.

The Edinburgh champion told Boxing UK that the events were hurting traditional boxing.

“You’ve got computer geeks acting like f***ing hard men and saying this and saying that. It’s so cringeworthy.”

“One of these guys is going to end up getting hurt because they don’t know what they’re doing. They get a couple weeks training in and they’re acting like fighters …

I’m all for them making money and doing well and bringing entertainment, but do something else. They’re boxing into wrestling like the WWE or WWF or whatever it’s called. Go into wrestling and act like a f***ing clown.”

“You’ve got real fighters out there that are busting their guts day in, day out, years upon years of hard graft dedicating themselves to the sport – and some of them can’t even get a fight. Struggling to pay bills.

Then you’ve got these clowns coming in and making absolute fortunes, which is fair enough, but they’re making a mockery of the sport and what boxing’s about.”

There’s no doubt that the likes of KSI, Jake Paul, and, lately, Salt Papi divide opinions amongst boxing fans. What’s also not in question, though, is the popularity of the events in terms of online buzz, ticket sales and viewership.

Whilst many fans wish that the stars of YouTube had decided to take up golf or cycling rather than boxing, others – particularly a younger audience – look forward to the next event. It’s a debate in the sport that will rage on.