Saturday 17 April Jake Paul vs Ben Askren.

Jake Paul, 6’, 2 and 0 (Boxing) vs Ben “Funky” Askren, 5’10”, 19, 2 and 1NC (MMA)

Jake Paul is a professional boxer. He will make big money from this fight. He is an intelligent businessman. What other 24 year old, 2 and 0 prospect could achieve this feat? He has 20 million followers on social media. Less than 10% need to buy it to put him in the all time top ten PPV buys!

My head says it’s Jake’s bout to lose. Younger, fitter and hungary, of course he should beat 36 year old Ben. Funky has an impressive record and fine fighting pedigree, 2008 Olympian, Bellator and One championship welterweight champion. He has fought and won all over the world, but in a different disciplines, freestyle wrestling and mma. He retired from mma in November 2019. He had been struggling with injuries and finally had hip surgery. Now healthy, does he see this as a good opportunity for some easy money? I hope so.

My heart would like the experienced campaigner to put it on the young buck. You make your own luck in fight sports. Good luck to both of them, but I fear Askren will come second. 

On the same card is UFC Hall of Famer Frank Mir. At one time considered to be the best heavyweight submission artist in the world. He takes on ex IBF cruiserweight world champion Steve Cunningham. Both Ben and Frank win in a “real” fight, but neither of them were known as strikers. I think that they are in real trouble. I wish them well, but I won’t be watching.