KSI Retires From Boxing, Signs Michael ‘Venom’ Page to Misfits

KSI has formally closed the book on his career as a fighter. The YouTuber-turned-promoter walked into the ring at Misfits Boxing’s Joey Essex vs. Dapper Laughs card at London’s Copper Box Arena on Saturday night, Oct. 10, and told the crowd that “The Nightmare” has retired, DAZN reported. The 33-year-old used the same appearance to unveil a major signing, with Sports Illustrated confirming that former UFC and Bellator contender Michael “Venom” Page has joined Misfits.

The retirement itself was not a total surprise. KSI has not fought since October 2023, when he lost a six-round unanimous decision to Tommy Fury, a result Sports Illustrated noted he later appealed without success. SI also reported that he first floated retirement on a podcast last year before making it official in London. DAZN wrote that the long layoff had kept questions about his future alive, particularly amid persistent talk of a crossover super-fight with longtime rival Jake Paul.

That rivalry featured prominently that night. According to Sports Illustrated, KSI followed his announcement with an expletive-laden shot at Paul, repeating it three times for the arena. The two have traded insults and near-deals for years without ever reaching fight night, and SI noted that Paul had kept the idea alive by naming KSI on his “Before I rest” wish list of opponents. With KSI now out of the ring, that matchup stays hypothetical.

KSI is not walking away from the sport. Sports Illustrated reported that he returned to the stage in an executive capacity as Misfits’ CEO, while DAZN described him as the promotion’s figurehead, with Mams Taylor helping drive day-to-day operations. DAZN also pointed to the launch of MF Pro alongside promoter Kalle Sauerland as part of the brand’s widening portfolio, and reported that KSI faced off in the ring with old YouTube rival Joe Weller during the event.

Page is the headline addition. “I feel free, that’s all I can say,” he said in the ring, according to SI. “The shackles are off and now, with my brother KSI, Mams and the Misfits team, I can create some big memories here.” KSI called Page “one of the biggest names in combat sports,” adding that “everyone wanted him.” SI reported that Page holds a 2-0 professional boxing record but has not boxed since 2018, and that he lost a closely contested majority decision to Mike Perry at BKFC 27 in an overtime sixth round. For the creator-boxing world KSI helped build, the Oct. 10 card marked a handoff: the star who drew crossover crowds is now the executive tasked with finding the next ones.

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Verification: Copper Box Arena event, “The Nightmare has retired” announcement, age 33, Tommy Fury loss in October 2023, Paul super-fight speculation, Mams Taylor role, MF Pro with Kalle Sauerland and Joe Weller face-off from DAZN (Andrew Steel, Oct. 10, 2026). CEO capacity, podcast retirement mention, unanimous-decision and appeal details, repeated jab at Paul, “Before I rest” list, Page signing, quotes and record from Sports Illustrated (Jaren Kawada, Oct. 2026).