Home/Boxing

After a substantial period of online back-and-forth, Jake Paul and the UFC’s former welterweight contender, Ben Askren, will touch gloves with each other on April 17. This will be Askren’s first boxing outing, and he is extremely thrilled to fight his arch-nemesis. The MMA star vows to provide a stern test to ‘The Problem Child’ and defy the odds in this cracking boxing entertainer.

‘Funky’ was recently in a chat with SunSport, talking about Paul and how he envisions this fight going. He said, “I think that the lack of skill of his opponents has made him think a little too highly of his own skills.” 

via Getty

Paul is considerably young in the sport with just two wins over non-fighters to his name. This is prominently why Askren believes the YouTuber hasn’t been taken to deep waters yet as both his opponents were less-skilled compared to him.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

He continued, “Seeing as I have had a few fights last under 90 seconds, I don’t think it will be the easiest fight. I do think Jake is the least skilled.”

“April 17 I am going to beat Jake up, what he decides to do after that is up to him.”

‘Funky’ got stunned just once in his MMA career. It was in an eminent bout against ‘Gamebred’ Jorge Masvidal. The experience will be with the grappler as he prepares for his boxing bow.

Read – Jamel Herring Says Terence Crawford’s Beef with Errol Spence Jr. is ‘Nothing Personal’

Will it be an easy win for Ben Askren?

Askren had an undefeated run in MMA prior to joining the UFC. However, his UFC career didn’t quite go as planned and he retired after two back-to-back losses. Throughout his life, ‘Funky’ banked on wrestling and ground game to win over his opponents.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

But, entering a pure boxing match will prove to be a sound challenge for him.

via Getty

The 36-year-old had a decent standup game and in preparations for this bout, he will look to capitalize on the same prowess.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

However, his approach in this fight will be interesting, as Paul is the more experienced combatant with the boxing gloves. ‘Funky’ will look to abide by his words and give the YouTuber his first professional loss.

What do you make of Askren’s analysis on Jake Paul?