Ex-KSI trainer Viddal Riley backs the YouTuber star in beating Jake Paul despite the American showing “more skill” in the ring

KSI was backed by his former boxing trainer to beat Jake Paul – despite the American showing “more skill” in the ring.

British cruiserweight junior Viddal Riley has cornered YouTube star KSI in three fights and won two.

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They drew against Paul’s brother Logan, 27, in 2018 before winning the rematch via a piecemeal decision a year later.

But KSI – real name Olajide Olayinka Williams Olatunji – hasn’t fought since and returns on August 27.

Meanwhile, rival Paul has gone 5-0 as a pro and has become the most successful celebrity boxer.

But Riley – who is no longer training KSI to focus on his own fighting career – is confident his friend has the caning of Logan’s brother.

He said on the happy hour podcast: “Of course he can hit him, he’s a man just the way he is.

“Jake Paul has shown more skill than JJ. That’s a fact, you can’t argue with that, he has.

“But Jake Paul didn’t fight JJ, and I don’t think he fought people of the same desire, willpower, and size as JJ.”

Paul, 25, recently announced he would be returning for his sixth pro fight on August 13, just weeks before KSI’s comeback.

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He last fought Tyron Woodley (40) in a short-term rematch in December after Tommy Fury (23) retired.

He knocked out replacement Woodley after beating the ex-UFC champion on points earlier in August.

It contributed to the KOs over player ‘AnEsonGib’, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson (37) and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren (37).

The victories over Woodley were Paul’s greatest, but Riley, 24, insisted the former MMA fighter was nothing like KSI, 28, as a boxer.

He added: “People don’t realize that just because you did well against a man you can’t do it against another because someone else might shake you.

“That’s why everyone’s like, ‘Oh wow, look at how Jake Paul dealt with Tyron Woodley.’

“Tyron Woodley and JJ are not the same person, they are different.

“So we have to hope that the fight happens so we can see it and finally have some new questions about it.”

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