JAKE PAUL will fight former UFC star Ben Askren in a boxing ring on April 17.
The YouTuber has spent months calling out Conor McGregor – but the Irishman’s defeat to Dustin Poirier at the weekend saw Paul change his focus.
Jake Paul will box Ben Askren on April 17Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Askren should hopefully provide some competition for PaulCredit: Getty – Contributor
Now the brash 24-year-old American will lace up the boxing gloves for his third pro fight.
In the opposite corner will be Askren, a former Bellator and ONE Welterweight Champion before joining UFC.
It will be Askren’s first pro boxing fight.
The clash will be the headliner for Triller’s next offering in the US – with a venue still to be decided.
The company of course hosted Mike Tyson’s spectacular return to boxing when he drew with Roy Jones Jr in December.
Paul featured on the card as he battered NBA star Nate Robinson in an embarrassingly one-sided scrap.
Paul, who downgraded his $50million offer to Conor McGregor to ‘$10,000 cash’ folling the Poirier defeat, posted the news on his Twitter account.
He released a lengthy statement in which he promised to knock Askren out in the first round and ‘add him to the meme collection’.
Jake Paul battered NBA star Nate Robinson in DecemberCredit: USA TODAY Sports
Speaking to ESPN about the fight, Askren said: “I know Jake Paul is enjoying pretending he is a fighter.
“I think on April 17 he is going to have a rude awakening to what being a fighter is really like.
“Jake 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 has an MMA record of 19 wins and just two defeats.
The losses came against Jorge Masvidal and last time out against Demian Maia in October 2019 in UFC.
Jake Paul brutally taunts Conor McGregor as he withdraws $50m fight bid and offers UFC star just $10k after Poirier loss
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
