AnEsonGib was there at the very start of YouTubers’ foray into boxing.
When KSI fought Joe Weller in 2017, the first major event within the modern crossover genre, Gib boxed on the undercard, beating Max Plays by knockout.
He then outpointed Jay Swingler on the next major show the following year, which was headlined by KSI’s clash with Logan Paul.
And not long after KSI and Paul went professional with their rematch, Gib followed suit by taking on Jake Paul in an official pro bout which was promoted by Matchroom boxing chief Eddie Hearn, who looks after Anthony Joshua and has guided Canelo Alvarez previously.
Prior to this, the internet personality was a self-confessed ‘obese FIFA gamer’.
To Gib’s credit, he transformed his mentality and physique and turned himself into what he now describes as a ‘cardio machine’.
“100 per cent. I was obese,” Gib told talkSPORT.com this week ahead of his fight on the Misfits Qatar Super Card.
“I was 105kg [231lbs/16st 7lbs], I couldn’t even do a push-up.
“Now I’m a cardio machine, athletic guy. And I’ve transformed myself.
“I wasn’t a fighter at all, but now I’m a boxer.”
The bout against Paul turned out to be a tough lesson for Gib.
In a humiliating first round, he was floored three times and stopped for a first-round knockout loss.
“That fight was a big learning curve,” he reflected almost five years on.
“It was something that I needed. It was something that has helped me transform into a better fighter than I am today.
“So without that fight, my story wouldn’t mean much.”
Gib bounced back 18 months later with a win over Tayler Holder and, despite being the underdog on several occasions, has not lost since.
His upset victory over Austin McBroom eventually led to a rematch win, with both triumphs coming by stoppage.
He also conquered Jarvis in the Kingpyn semi-finals to move to a record of 6-1, though when that tournament collapsed his proposed final never materialised.
Gib has been out of the ring since that last win in July 2023 but has now signed to return as the headline fight of the Misfits Qatar Super Card, taking on Slim Albaher on Thursday night.
He’s not underestimating the task at hand either, as he said of Slim: “He’s one of the best at Misfits. I just know that my style is better than his.”
Gib will have to battle against the odds if he is to emerge victorious, though, of course it wouldn’t be the first time.
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