Youtube star Jake Paul to fight former MMA champion Ben Askren in an eight-round professional boxing match
There was a great uproar in the world of boxing when YouTube sensations Logan and Jake Paul had their first amateur boxing matches against fellow internet superstars KSI and Deji in 2018.
To the surprise of many, Jake Paul’s success in the sport has caught the attention of promotion companies, and his competition keeps getting more serious with every fight.
On April 17, Paul will be facing his biggest challenge to date: he will be facing off against former world wrestling and mixed martial arts (MMA) champion Ben Askren in an eight-round boxing match in the Mercedes-Benz stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
Despite Paul’s success in his first boxing fight in 2018, it took him two years to turn professional.
In his first professional fight against famous YouTuber AnEsonGib, Paul took his time to exchange shots before unleashing some powerful hits that led to a technical knock-out in the very first round. In his second and most recent fight against former NBA player Nate Robinson, Paul showed that he had improved his skills even more by demonstrating faster footwork and more precise techniques, easily scoring a knockout finish in the second round.
While Paul seems to be getting better with each fight, Askren is no one to underestimate in the world of fighting.
While Paul seems to be getting better with each fight, Askren is no one to underestimate in the world of fighting.
As a former Olympic wrestler and national champion, Askren began his career in MMA with a heavy emphasis on grappling. Throughout years of experience and domination in top-tier leagues such as Bellator and ONE Championship, Askren was able to add a masterful striking style to his arsenal of martial arts skills. He became the welterweight champion in both organizations all while maintaining a pristine professional record.
Moreover, he has dealt with tough opponents during his time with the number one MMA organization in the world, the UFC. Since his retirement from the UFC in 2019, Askren has not had a professional fight in combat sports, though he has been constantly active in the gym.
Although this isn’t Askren’s first rodeo, his upcoming fight against Paul is being considered his professional boxing debut. Despite boxing being used in MMA fights, boxing fights are different when it comes to regulations, duration, gloves and protective gear, as well as strategies that are used to effectively win matches.
Paul is more accustomed to these rules because of his boxing experience, and this familiarity could possibly assist him on fight night if he is put in a critical situation against Askren.
Askren, on the other hand, has the winning ticket when it comes to endurance and stamina, which is of great importance as this will be an eight-round fight.
Askren has shown that he is able to push himself to the limit by fighting through exhaustion and injuries in his MMA fights. It is unknown whether Paul will be able to pull through the whole length of this fight without gassing out.
While both fighters are putting in last minute training efforts before April 17, another major factor bringing in viewership is the top-notch trash-talking between the two guys.
Leading up to fight night the trolling on social media has seen Paul call Askren an “ugly Napoleon Dynamite,” while a video on Twitter showed Askren hitting a heavy bag with a large print of Paul’s bruised up face on it.
Even though this will be a celebrity boxing fight, it is still a professional match consisting of real rules and consequences. The trash-talking only adds to the budding excitement, encouraging fans from all fields to tune in on fight night.
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