Former UFC star Ben Askren will lace up the boxing gloves and lock horns against Jake Paul in a professional bout on April 17. This would be the former’s debut inside the boxing ring and considering his undermined striking abilities, several boxing fans have been on Jake Paul’s corner.
Paul, 2-0 as a pro, has unleashed back-to-back knockouts before facing a real combatant in Ben Askren. However, Askren is a wrestling and MMA elite. So, he might not have any advantage over Jake Paul. That said, ‘Funky is still optimistic about bagging the win and has planned to put on a tough fight.
He doesn’t intend to take it as a boxing bout and has hinted at turning it dirty inside the ring. Speaking with Fight Hub Tv, Askren has shed light on those ideas.
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“I think that’s exactly, it’s a fight and I don’t have to be this pretty boxer. I can get in there and pressure him, get dirty and fight him hard. That’s kind of like something he probably hasn’t felt. That’s probably something even the good boxers in his camp don’t really know how to give him some of those looks that I am going to give him,” said Ben Askren.
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While Jake Paul has been spotted training with several boxers and pro combatants, Askren isn’t intimidated. He revealed why these factors aren’t important for the fight.
Ben Askren lashes at Jake Paul and his team
Paul has been spotted with Jorge Masvidal, Shane Mosley, and several more experts ahead of his bout. According to the former MMA champion, these coaches are just there to take the money from Jake Paul.
“This is really a problem with a lot of high-paid boxers. It’s a lot of them when they get that money, they are paying their coaches right and then the coaches work for them. So, the coaches can’t give it to him straight. Because otherwise, they are shown the door,” said Askren.
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He added, “Those guys really try to whip his a** because I don’t think he is the kind of guy that likes that. And he is the one with the money and you know. I feel like these jabronis are kind of hangers on. So they are kind of just saying all the right things to make him happy.”
Jake Paul can aim at the bigger names if he wins the fight against Askren. He has already taken shots at several UFC fighters and pro boxers, including Conor McGregor and Canelo Alvarez.
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On the other hand, Jake Paul’s brother, Logan Paul, is on the brink of bagging a mega-exhibition clash against Floyd Mayweather. So, the YouTubers are taking pretty big steps in their respective boxing careers. Will there be a commanding step made by ‘Problem Child’ on April 17?
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