UFC

JAKE PAUL’S sparring partner has predicted the YouTuber will leave Ben Askren ‘out cold’ and warned: ‘He’s going to shock people.’
Paul will face the ex-UFC welterweight in his third professional fight on April 17, having won his first two by stoppage.

Jake Paul pictured with Jake Bostwick

Ben Askren will fight Jake Paul on April 17

Brit Jake Bostwick – currently living out in America – was approached by an old gym mate who revealed Paul wanted to spar him.
And the current bare-knuckle boxer and former MMA fighter was left impressed after their three-round session in Miami.
He warned Askren – who has never boxed before and fought primarily as a grappler – that Paul possesses the power to leave him out for the count.
Bostwick told SunSport: “Honestly, I think Jake will knock him out within two or three rounds, I really do, 100 per cent. 

“I feel like his boxing’s going to be way better than Askren’s, he’s the bigger man, he uses range well. 
“I really think he can knock him out cold for sure.
“With those 10oz gloves, and he boxes how I feel he can, especially by April, I think he can sleep him, cold. 
“I believe for sure he’s going to shock people.”

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Paul made his professional debut in January 2020, beating internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in one round.
He followed it up with a viral KO against ex-NBA star Nate Robinson in November, on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s comeback.
Askren, 36, will mark a huge step up for the social media sensation, coming with a vast amount of experience in MMA before his retirement in 2019.
Paul has been levelled with criticism and scepticism for having lots to say without yet proving himself against an opponent with a fighting background.
But Bostwick revealed the 24-year-old multimillionaire vlogger is working tirelessly behind closed doors to back up his bold claims.
And Paul, guided by coach and former cruiserweight BJ Flores, is proving his worth in the gym, learning quickly on the job.

Jake Paul, pictured with Daniele Scardina

Ben Askren will be boxing for the first time Credit: Getty Images – Getty
Bostwick, 31, said: “I genuinely rate his boxing.
“I rate his work ethic and I rate how comfortable he is in there with someone of my calibre or anyone else he’s working with. 
“I hit him with some clean shots, he didn’t care, threw some shots back, slipping, moving, his jab is good.”
Paul has already set his sights on future super-fights with UFC stars Conor McGregor, 32, Nate Diaz, 35, and Jorge Masvidal, 36.
He even claimed to have sent McGregor a $50million offer, but after the Irishman lost to Dustin Poirier, 32, the deal was cheekily cut to just $10,000.
Paul has used his career as a successful YouTuber with 20MILLION subscribers to grab the attention of rivals.
But Bostwick admits in private the showman is far more humble instead of his brash online persona.

Jake Paul beat internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in one roundCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Jake Paul knocked out ex-NBA star Nate Robinson Credit: AP:Associated Press
He compares Paul to UFC bad boy Colby Covington, the vocal Donald Trump supporter who has become public enemy No1.
Bostwick explained: “Jake’s not just this stupid person people think he is who runs his mouth.
“He is super polite, the dude was like, ‘Please, thank you’, he shook my hand. He’s very respectful.
“He runs his mouth and a lot of people don’t like that but he’s got nothing to lose, he doesn’t give a s***.
“He’s got money behind him, he’s got his friends behind him and if you understand who he is, he’s pretty cool.
“Same thing with Colby Covington, with his Trump hat, but in person he’s like, ‘Oh, hello Jake’. He’ll say your full name, shake your hand.
“These people are nice, it’s just for show.”

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TYSON FURY agreed Conor McGregor was beaten by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257 due to ‘inactivity’.
McGregor was coming into the fight having had just 40 seconds of action in 12 months, dating back to his knockout over Donald Cerrone.

Tyson Fury opened up about Conor McGregor’s loss Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Conor McGregor lost against Dustin Poirier at UFC 257

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After defeat to Poirier, the Irishman, 32, pointed to his lack of time in the octagon as a sticking point in his performance.
And unbeaten WBC heavyweight champion Fury backed up those claims as he admitted ‘inactivity kills the cat’.
Fury told Gareth A Davies: “He did [use inactivity as an explanation for his defeat], and he’s bang on right.

“Conor McGregor fought in 2016, then he had two years out and then he fought Khabib [in 2018].
“Then he had another two years out, and then he fought Cerrone [in January 2020].
“Then he had another year out, and then he fought this guy, Poirier.
“So inactivity kills the cat, no doubt about it.

“When one man’s been active – fighting, sparring and in camps – and one man’s been on the couch, it’s no good.”

Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor in round two Credit: Sportsfile – Subscription

Conor McGregor beaten at UFC 257 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

After McGregor’s loss, he said: “It’s hard to overcome inactivity over long periods of time. And that’s just it.
“The leg kicks were good. That low calf good was very good. The leg was dead and I just wasn’t as comfortable as I needed to be.
“It’s inactivity and that’s it. But Dustin is some fighter. If you put in the time in here, you’re going to get cosy in here and that’s it.”
Fury, 32, himself is no stranger to time on the sidelines, having spent almost three years out after winning the unified titles in 2015.
After a battle with alcohol, substance abuse and depression, the Gypsy King marked his return with a win against Sefer Seferi in July 2018.
Within two more years he once again became world champion to cap off a remarkable comeback after dethroning Deontay Wilder of the WBC belt.
Fury opened up on the importance of activity and how legends of the past have all suffered from time out.

Tyson Fury made his comeback in 2018 against Sefer Seferi Credit: Reuters

Tyson Fury won the world title again in 2020 beating Deontay Wilder Credit: Getty Images – Getty
He said: “You lose your timing, you lose your distance, you lose it all.
“You lose it all, it’s all gotta be gained back within camps and within fighting.
“If you had three fights on the bounce after you’d never been in the ring for three years, in the third one you’d be ten times better than the first.
“I’ve always known it. Because I’m a boxing historian I’ve always known about the inactivity.
“Gerry Cooney when he fought Larry Holmes – he was out of the ring for 18 months.
“His timing wasn’t there, he just wasn’t the same fighter as he should’ve been.
“If one man’s not active and one man’s been in the ring, it’s an uphill battle.
“Recently we saw Juan Pablo Hernandez, the former IBF cruiserweight champion, he came back after a long lay-off and fought journeyman Kevin Johnson and got knocked out.”

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BEN ASKREN said Jake Paul will ‘wish he was still a Disney kid star’ after their bout.
The ex-UFC welterweight, who retired in 2019, will become internet sensation Paul’s third professional boxing opponent on April 17.

Ben Askren predicted he will TKO Jake Paul in round seven Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Jake Paul was formerly a Disney Channel actor Credit: Alamy

And, despite going in as underdog with the bookies, he predicts he will KO the YouTuber in the seventh round.
Ahead of the fight Askren, 36, poked fun at his opponent’s prior career as a Disney Channel actor while he broke down how he thinks the fight will go.
He told MMA Junkie: “It’ll probably maybe be relatively competitive in the first couple rounds (until) he starts to slow down and I start to land a lot more punches, a lot of volume.
“The seventh round I’m going to TKO him and he’s going to wish he was still a Disney kid star.”

Askren left the UFC after consecutive defeats, to Jorge Masvidal and then Damian Maia.
Masvidal’s win was the quickest in UFC history, after he won in five seconds following a flying knee.
Askren has since had hip replacement, last September, in retirement before accepting a deal to fight Paul, 24.
Social media star Paul won his pro debut in January 2020, stopping fellow vlogger ‘AnEsonGib’ in round one.

He followed it up with a viral knockout against ex-NBA player Nate Robinson in November.
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Paul has since campaigned to fight UFC superstar Conor McGregor, and even went after Dana White in the pursuit.
Askren, who himself had a frosty relationship with White, revealed he spoke with the promoter about his boxing debut.
He needed permission from the UFC to take the fight, having still been under contract with them.
And while they appear to have patched things up, they both share a similar view on Paul.
Askren said: “He does not seem to like Jake Paul too much, that’s seeming to be totally true.
“We had a nice phone call. Probably the most cordial phone call Dana and I have ever had.
“Both Dana and Hunter (Campbell) were relatively easy. They didn’t really have many complaints.”

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MANNY PACQUIAO accused Conor McGregor of underestimating Dustin Poirier before his stunning UFC 257 knockout loss.
McGregor had previously stopped Poirier in under two minutes of their featherweight fight in 2014.

Manny Pacquiao reckons Conor McGregor underestimated Dustin PoirierCredit: Getty Images – Getty

Dustin Poirier knocked out Conor McGregor at UFC 257Credit: Getty Images – Getty

But in last week’s rematch, the American returned the favour and subjected Notorious to his third UFC defeat.
It also put McGregor’s return to the boxing to face Pacquiao on the shelf with the Irishman compelled to fight for his reputation in the UFC instead.
But PacMan will still have one eye on how his fellow southpaw bounces back from the devastating setback.
Pacquiao, 42, told ABS-CBN News: “Losing is part of the game. In sport there are winners and losers, that’s all. 

“It is not about defeat, but about how you accept defeat in your life: how you get over that difficult time in your life.
“McGregor had already beaten his rival before and I think that made him underestimate him.”
McGregor, 32, lost his boxing debut in 2017, as Floyd Mayweather finished the fight in round ten.
But the former UFC champion fancied another lucrative escapade in the ring against boxing royalty.

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He revealed before his return to the octagon that talks were intensifying between himself and Pacquiao, with the pair both managed by Paradigm Sports.
But McGregor can forget all about the Filipino icon for now, after his representative confirmed the eight-division champion is no longer pursuing McGregor.
Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao promotions, told SunSport: “Very unfortunate, it looked like Conor looked past Dustin and got knocked out.
“Maybe he had the Senator on his mind. I think the demand for the fight is not there presently.
“Conor has some business to clean up and handle in the UFC. 
“It’s a bummer, it could have been fun for as long as it lasted and know leg kicks would have made a world of difference.”

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BEN ASKREN claimed Jake Paul thinks ‘too highly of his own skills’ and vowed to ‘beat up’ the YouTuber.
Askren, a former UFC welterweight who retired in 2019, will face the internet sensation on April 17 in the boxing ring.

Ben Askren will fight Jake Paul on April 17 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Jake Paul has won his first two fights as a pro boxer Credit: AP:Associated Press

It will be Paul’s third professional bout, having already beaten social media rival ‘AnEsonGib’ and ex-NBA star Nate Robinson.
And, with the Askren not renowned for his striking skills in the cage, the vlogger has again been made favourite by pundits and fellow fighters.
But Askren, who lost just twice in his 22 MMA bouts, warns Paul, 24, won’t have it so easy now he comes face-to-face with an experienced fighter.
Asked if he was surprised by Paul being favoured by the masses, Askren told SunSport: “Nope, a lot of stupid people exist.  

“I was literally only rocked one time in 21 fights and ten-plus years of training.”
Askren won titles in Bellator and ONE Championship before finally signing for the UFC in 2018.
He beat Robbie Lawler on his debut, but suffered a historic loss against Jorge Masvidal four months later.
Masvidal’s flying knee FIVE SECONDS into the fight made it the quickest win in UFC history.

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After Askren was beaten by Damian Maia in October 2019, he retired and underwent hip surgery.
The ex-USA wrestling champion insists he ‘feels great’ having gone under the knife in September and predicts a round seven KO against Paul.
Despite the millionaire video star’s lack of fighting experience, Askren admits it will not be his easiest night’s work.
But he does feel Paul is his least qualified challenger, who has has had his ego boosted with easy knockovers against ring novices.
Askren, 36, said: “I think that the lack of skill of his opponents has made him think a little too highly of his own skills.  
“Seeing as I have had a few fights last under 90 seconds I don’t think it will be the easiest fight.  I do think Jake is the least skilled. 
“April 17 I am going to beat Jake up, what he decides to do after that is up to him.”

YouTuber Jake Paul after a sparring session Credit: Instagram / @brutalbostwick

Ben Askren retired from the UFC in 2019 Credit: AP:Associated Press
Askren is not the only one to questions Paul’s thin resume of inexperienced opponents, with fans calling for the American celebrity to face a real test.
Robinson, 36, was KO’d and became a meme after he was left out cold in round two last November.
Paul has promised the same viral treatment of Askren, but recognised he is faces a step up in competition.
After the fight announcement, he said: “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.”

Jake Paul hits the pads in training for April 17 boxing return More

AVNI YILDIRIM has called Conor McGregor ‘arrogant and ignorant’ for believing he could beat Manny Pacquiao.
McGregor revealed before his UFC return against Dustin Poirier that he was in talks to fight Pacquiao.

Avni Yildirim with Canelo AlvarezCredit: Instagram @avniyildirim

Conor McGregor after defeat to Dustin Poirier Credit: Getty Images – Getty

But after the Irishman was stopped in the octagon for the first time, his return to the boxing ring was all-but KO’d.
Turk Yildirim – who faces Canelo Alvarez on February 27 – is happy to see the two rivalling superstars left alone in their own sport.
He told SunSport: “Should basketball teams start playing football? Would you watch a baseball team playing hockey?
“It‘s two different sports. If somebody wants to turn from one sport to the other that‘s fine. But it‘s surely not easy to do.

“We are professionals at what we do. We have done it for years – training, fighting – to get to the level where we are.
“To believe that you can just enter a sport and beat somebody who has done it his whole life is arrogant and ignorant to say the least.”
McGregor, 32, made his boxing debut in 2017, losing to Floyd Mayweather, 43, in ten rounds.
But he fancied another lucrative payday and crack at boxing royalty as he pursued Filipino icon Pacquiao, 42.

Conor McGregor knocked out against Dustin Poirier Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Yildirim, 29, was not convinced, however, and urged McGregor to instead focus his efforts in the UFC, giving him no hope of upsetting PacMan.
He said: “I think McGregor has been a big star at UFC but I don‘t see him as a boxer.
“He clearly lost to Mayweather and I don‘t understand why he should have the desire to lose to Pacquiao.
“If they want to fight, let them fight. No problem. Would I watch it? I don‘t think so.”
As McGregor builds a rivalry with boxing’s legends of the past, Yildirim is going after the sport’s current kingpin.
He challenges super-middleweight and pound-for-pound superstar Canelo for the WBC, WBA and Ring Magazine belts in Florida.
Yildirim is the Mexican’s mandatory challenger and comes into the fight with a 21-2 record.
Canelo, 30, will defend his throne having beaten Callum Smith in December, but right after was given 90 days to defend his WBC title.

Canelo faces Avni Yildirim on February 27 Credit: Instagram / @avniyildrim

Canelo and Avni Yildirim are former sparring partners
Having agreed terms with Yildirim, Alvarez does so with future unification bouts already on his mind.
So much so that he penned a two-fight deal with promoter Eddie Hearn, with the view of facing WBO champ Billy Joe Saunders later this year.
Despite the four-weight champion planning ahead, Yildirim refuses to feel overlooked – but warned that Canelo is in the dark about what he is getting himself into.
He said: “I don‘t care what Canelo says, thinks or plans. I focus on myself and what I need to do to show my best possible performance.
“I can only speak for myself and tell you that I am not thinking past Canelo. First things first.
“Yes, it was a long journey. But I am not looking back, I am focusing on what‘s ahead of me.
“I am looking forward to the fight and I will make sure that I will be in the best possible shape.
“I don‘t want to compare myself to anybody else. But as far as I know Canelo has never faced a true Turkish warrior.”

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MANNY PACQUIAO’S representative confirmed their interest in fighting Conor McGregor is ‘not there presently’.
It comes after McGregor was knocked out and stunned by Dustin Poirier at UFC 257, losing in round two.

Sean Gibbons pictured with Manny Pacquiao Credit: MP Promotions

Dustin Poirier beat Conor McGregor at UFC 257 Credit: Getty Images – Getty

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The Irishman had revealed several times in the build up to his UFC return that talks were intensifying between himself and Pacquiao.
But McGregor’s proposed return to the ring – having lost his boxing debut to Floyd Mayweather in 2017 – is all-but KO’d as he was upset in Abu Dhabi.
Now, he has been told to focus his efforts on redeeming himself in the octagon with Pacquiao no longer pursuing the former two-division UFC champion.

Sean Gibbons, president of Manny Pacquiao promotions, told SunSport: “Very unfortunate, it looked like Conor looked past Dustin and got knocked out.
“Maybe he had the Senator on his mind. I think the demand for the fight is not there presently.
“Conor has some business to clean up and handle in the UFC. 
“It’s a bummer, it could have been fun for as long as it lasted and know leg kicks would have made a world of difference.”

As quickly as McGregor picked himself up from the canvas and addressed defeat, Pacquiao appeared to move on in another direction.

Conor McGregor knocked out by Dustin Poirier Credit: Getty Images – Getty

Lightweight sensation Ryan Garcia, 22, announced on Instagram that he would be fighting Pacquaio, 42.
It is understood the two are in talks to potentially box in an exhibition bout.
McGregor revealed after the loss on Fight Island that a deal with eight-division champion PacMan was almost signed.
But now the southpaw, who was left unable to walk after Poirier battered his calves with kicks, has been left second guessing his next move.
McGregor, 32, said: “I always did want to focus on my MMA career but I’m also open. I’ll just see what happens. I don’t know what will happen.
“That Manny fight was happening. It was as good as done.
“I just want to get in and get back into a bounce, especially against that style of fighter, and not take those kicks.
“Not play with those kicks. It’s just a motherfucker to take. That’s my mind going.”

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