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Former MMA champ Ben Askren is set to face Jake Paul in a Triller Fight Club boxing main event on April 17 from Atlanta, and the big question for most — if they have one — is how Askren will do in straight up boxing.
We kinda know what Jake Paul can do, for better or worse, at least when he’s fighting dudes who have never been in a ring before like that clueless YouTube guy or Nate Robinson the basketball player. And there’s certainly a load of far less than flattering footage of Askren’s stand-up game from his MMA career. It was, to put it lightly, never his strength.
But what about when Askren is focused on nothing but his boxing, not worried about his wrestling or anything but boxing coming back from someone else?
Askren shared some sparring footage about a week ago:
Bens sparring is on point. But the question seems to be - slow motion or real time? Check out the vlog and you decide. On April 17th it’ll be nothing but real time and JP won’t be able to keep up.
— Funky (@Benaskren) March 1, 2021
Thanks @CoinFlipATM for sponsoring. https://t.co/WiJKohOeq2 pic.twitter.com/vrChi1ME9k
Now because I’ve learned over the years that a lot of fight fans just don’t really have a sense of humor at all (no offense): This is pretty clearly a troll, Askren looking for a reaction to posting bad footage.
The question is now how much better than this he will really be. And in all honesty, it might not be better enough. Or a lot better. Maybe he’s just fully self-aware as he goes to cash a check and this really is about as good as it gets.
Say what you will about Jake Paul, but he’s younger than Askren, a lot fresher than Askren, a big kid who stays in shape, and by all accounts he does take his boxing seriously at the level he’s at. Jake Paul is not trying to get embarrassed out there.