JAKE PAUL will fight ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
The venue – home to NFL side Atlanta Falcons and MLS outfit Atlanta United – can hold up to 75,000 fans.
Jake Paul will fight ex-UFC welterweight Ben Askren at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in AtlantaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Ben Askren will fight Jake Paul on April 17Credit: Getty – Contributor
The stadium is home to NFL side Atlanta Falcons and MLS’ Atlanta United and can hold up to 75,000 fans.Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Social media app Triller, backed by Ryan Kavanaugh, who owns billion dollar film company Relativity Media, will host the pay-per-view event on April 17.
Kavanaugh said: “Our vision of big fights, big entertainment and world class events can only fit into a world class venue, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium fits that vision.
“April 17th will have an element of surprise and action for everyone, from music fans to the casual and diehard fight fan.”
The fight will be on pay-per-view, costing $49.99 in America and £17 in the UK on FITE TV.
Triller brought heavyweight legend Mike Tyson, 54, out of retirement in November, as he drew in an exhibition with Roy Jones Jr, 52.
On the undercard, YouTuber Paul, 24, improved to two knockouts in as many fights as he left ex-NBA star Nate Robinso, 36, out cold.
But for his third professional bout, he will face his hardest test to date, against former ONE Championship and Bellator champion Askren.
Askren, 36, despite being vastly more experienced as a fighter, was renowned for his limited striking style but high-level grappling accolades.
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As a result, he emerges as the betting underdog, with Paul promising to add the biggest name to his record and another highlight-reel to his collection.
He said upon the fight announcement: “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.”
UFC star Leon Edwards predicts Jake Paul will ‘chin’ Ben Askren
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
