Internet sensation turned pro boxer Jake Paul is set to return to the squared circle and will face former UFC fighter Ben Askren in an eight-round pro boxing match on April 17, as per ESPN.
Askren didn't waste any time as he immediately called out his opponent and confidently claimed that he will emerge victorious in the bout.
“I know Jake Paul is enjoying pretending he is a fighter,” Askren said. “I think on April 17 he is going to have a rude awakening to what being a fighter is really like. Jake Paul has led a privileged life and doesn't really know what the meaning of being a fighter is. I'm going to put his dreams to an end.”
The 36-year-old already gained significant experience as a fighter way before he signed with UFC in November 2018. Askren previously headlined the USA national wrestling team in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics and appeared in the Bellator Fighting Championships as well.
Askren already retired from MMA last year after needing surgery to repair his hip injury but is still currently under contract with UFC. He holds a professional record of 19 wins, two losses, and 1 no contest.
On the other hand, Jake Paul first made his name known as a YouTuber. He previously made waves in the boxing industry when he debuted in January of 2020. Paul dealt his fellow YouTube sensation in Ali Loui Al-Fakhri or more commonly known as ‘AnEsonGib' with a first-round TKO to begin his boxing career with a victory.
The 24-year-old followed it up with a matchup with another notable personality in former NBA veteran Nate Robinson back in November of 2020. Paul emerged victorious once again after dealing Robinson with a cold-blooded knockout in the second round of the fight.
Despite being less experienced compared to Askrem, Jake Paul's confidence never wavered and he has the utmost belief in himself that he can win against his counterpart come April.
“Me, on the other hand, I started boxing two years ago and I'm still going to knock his ass out faster than [Jorge] Masvidal. These MMA guys think because they throw punches they know how to box. The world complained because I knocked out a basketball player and not a real fighter. So now I'm giving the people what they want by taking on a ‘real fighter.' After Ben Askren is added to my knockout meme collection, what can anybody say? Thank you to Triller Fight Club for giving me the platform to once again put a man to sleep. April 17, it's lights out for Askren.”
The fight's venue has not been finalized yet but the bout will be available as a pay-per-view event on the Triller app.
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