If you were unaware, YouTube vlogger Jake Paul has increased the stakes on his attention-getting stunts. His latest project? Breaking into the professional boxing game. With a 2-0 professional record (2 KOs), Paul has apparently decided he has graduated from whaling on fellow YouTubers (AnEsonGib) and retired NBA players. He wants to move up the ladder and go up against athletes with actual fighting experience, opting for a bout with former MMA fighter Ben Askren.
By the way, before continuing with this Jake Paul bout, someone should really check on Nate Robinson, maybe send him some flowers or something.
Jake Paul knows that facing off against Askren won't be exactly like teeing it off against an actual boxer, let alone one in their prime. Askren, at 36, was solidly in retirement before agreeing to Saturday's match, and was actually a grappling specialist on the MMA circuit, getting his start in combat sports through collegiate and freestyle wrestling. On the surface, the matchup actually looks pretty fair, as Jake Paul (24) has over a decade's worth of youth on his side, as well as much more boxing-centric training under his belt. Not only that, but Askren's latter career was marred by injury, ending with a less-than-stellar stint in the UFC (1-2).
But now that all the pretending is done, this is why Jake Paul is about to get the rudest wake up call of his life.
Surprisingly, Askren is a bit of a dog in this fight, as Jake Paul is a bit favored by Vegas. Call it what you want, whether it's age, height (advantage Paul), or injury history. But the fact remains that Jake Paul has never beaten an actual fighter in professional competition. His wins are all very spectacular, and very cute, but if anyone took bets on Nate Robinson and someone named ‘AnEsonGib', who probably have never taken actual punches to the face before, against a Jake Paul dedicated to training, they were smoking something real good.
Jake Paul won't simply be able to bully his way to victory on Saturday night.
Injuries/age/specialty or not, Ben Askren has taken a punch under the bright lights, and has way more live experience in combat sports than Jake Paul. If you're wondering what kind of edge that is, ask veterans of any other sport and they'll tell you.
Listen, Jake Paul is not without talent, and he has all of the mental game and work ethic to be a fine fighter. But the fact remains that he is young and untested. Again, he's the favorite over Askren because of specialized training in the ring and two spectacular wins.
To reiterate: So the hell what?
You want numbers about the upcoming opponent for Jake Paul? How about this: Askren as a grappling specialist who still only suffered two losses in his ‘injury-plagued' career (19-2), both of which came at its very end. Of his 19 losses, this ‘less experienced boxer' had 6 wins by knockout, 5 with his fists. By the way, in case you weren't aware, these were against actual fighters.
This sort of analysis is insulting to the sport of boxing, as well as combat sports in general (regardless of whether Jake Paul cares). Ben Askren isn't a practice dummy, sparring partner, a YouTuber, or washed up out-of-sport athlete. He is a legitimate veteran fighter, and bled his way to one of the more unblemished records in his sports history.
Ben Askren is about to kick Jake Paul's ass to space. Say hi to DOGE coin for us when you're there, champ.
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