The boxing match no one asked for arrived Saturday, April 17, as after a seemingly endless deluge of trash talking, Youtube “star” Jake Paul and former Bellator and ONE Championship title holder Ben Askren were finally ready to face off inside the ring.
Paul was allegedly making the move to real competition by boxing an actual combat sports athlete in Askren. Of course, he had no doubt chosen the retired UFC fighter, whose best days came outside the octagon for ONE and Bellator, due to Funky’s well-renowned lack of striking ability. A wrestler at his core, Askren’s hands were some of the least deadly of any high-level mixed martial artist; the 36-year old was, in fact, a throwback to the days when single disciplines dominated MMA. He was simply good enough at wrestling to parlay it into a championship-level career in modern mixed martial arts.
But there would be no wrestling Saturday. Just a straight-up boxing match, held at cruiserweight, between an Askren who was coming off hip surgery, and a social media celebrity famous for being famous.
At least Paul wasn’t boxing another retired NBA star.
Also on the card, former UFC heavyweight champion Frank Mir, another fighter known for his ground game, took on Steve Cunningham, with Mir 70lbs heavier than his opponent.
The PPV portion of the card kicks off at 9PM ET, and is available via Fite.tv
Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul Results
Jake Paul def. Ben Askren by TKO, Round 1, 1:59
Regis Prograis def. Ivan Redkach via unanimous technical decision (60-54, 60-54, 59-54)
Steve Cunningham def. Frank Mir via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 58-56)
Joe Fournier def. Reykon by TKO (retirement), Round 2, 3:00
Junior Younan def. Jeyson Minda by unanimous decision (78-71, 78-71, 78-71)
Quinton Randall def. William Jackson by unanimous decision
