Viddal Riley believes that KSI hasn’t shown any improvement in terms of his boxing ability since his first fight in 2018.
The unbeaten cruiserweight prospect trained KSI at the start of his boxing career for his inaugural fight against fellow social media star Joe Weller, which he won by stoppage.
KSI fought Weller in 2018, where he produced a stoppage winCredit: YouTube
Riley was also in KSI’s corner for his duo of fights against Logan Paul, the first of which ended in a draw, with the British YouTuber winning the rematch on points.
Riley then decided to step down as the 30-year-old’s coach to focus on his own boxing career, where he is now 10-0 as a professional – boasting six knockouts.
KSI meanwhile has fought five more times, winning three, while also having a no contest result sandwiched in between his recent defeat.
His loss against Tommy Fury – the younger brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury – has proved to controversial, with many believing he should have at least earned a draw.
But through these fights, Riley thinks KSI’s boxing skills have declined, while he also commented on his former pupil’s boxing IQ.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “My job at one point was to contribute to that IQ.
“When he first started boxing it was my job to lay the foundation for his IQ.
“With that being said, and I stand by this, his best performance was against Joe Weller.
Riley used to train KSI, otherwise known as JJ, and the pair are still friendsCredit: Ed Mulholland/Matchroom
“Where he uses the jab, he uses the space, while Weller’s trying to cut him down, he’s throwing hooks round the side of Weller’s guard, he’s attacking head and body.
“It’s the most you’ve ever seen JJ use the most fundamental punch in boxing, which is the jab, and that was closer to when he first started and I was coaching him to fight Weller.
“Since then, there has been a decline in skill shown.
“He’s got faster, he’s got more powerful, he’s got more athletic, he’s got more confident.
“But, I haven’t seen an improvement in boxing ability.”
For the time being, KSI is taking a break from boxing following a first career loss.
But there is still a huge amount of demand from the fans for him to take on his long-time bitter rival Jake Paul at some point in the near future.
