Jake Paul beats Ben Askren as Pro boxing drifts askew

Hall-of-fame ring announcer Michael Buffer launched Ben Askren — one-half of the primary occasion in opposition to Jake Paul — as Ben “Askew”. A Freudian slip, maybe, for an evening when skilled boxing went askew.
Askren himself was mendacity lopsided on the canvas underneath two minutes, the third knockout sufferer for superstar boxer Paul. Sent down by a vicious, straight proper, Askren stumbled to his toes after the eight-count however the referee determined the 36-year-old couldn’t proceed. A few minutes later, Askren was seen leaving together with his spouse, broad smiles on their faces.

.@floydmayweather you see this pic.twitter.com/fpRzyiUukd
— Logan Paul (@LoganPaul) April 18, 2021
Askren may very nicely be laughing all the best way to the financial institution. Reports recommend that the retired MMA fighter made $500,000 for his boxing debut, and that’s with none pay-per-view shares or battle bonuses. It may very well be argued that Askren’s efficiency out and in of the ring was a pointy meta-commentary on the spectacle. A adorned wrestler — two-time NCAA Division I nationwide champion (four-time finalist) and 2008 Olympian — Askren mentioned he was embarrassed in case the kids he trains have been watching. “I feel so bad for the kids who are watching right now. I feel like an irresponsible mentor,” he advised Saturday Night Live solid member Pete Davidson.
On Saturday morning, Askren had tweeted: “People love fist fights. People love circuses. Hope you enjoy tonight.” During the present, he reiterated: “Well don’t say I wasn’t upfront about it.” Minutes earlier than his battle, he retweeted options that one of many announcers — multiple-time world champion Oscar De La Hoya — “is plastered!”

Well don’t say I wasn’t upfront about it. https://t.co/sFpTXHVKUU
— Funky (@Benaskren) April 18, 2021
Such options weren’t unwarranted. When the announce crew — which featured rapper Snoop Dogg, Davidson amongst others — weren’t speaking about cocktails and “joints”, they have been throwing F-bombs sooner than any boxer threw punches. Snoop Dogg stored speaking concerning the two million he was going to win if Paul knocks out Askren. Davidson hoped the 2 fighters “started kissing.”
Social media in the meantime went into overdrive. Some insinuated Askren “took a dive” or “got out” simple, others congratulated him for “making bank” for 2 minutes’ work. Expect the knockout clips and gifs to maintain doing the rounds until Paul fights once more.
But can Paul battle? The jury’s nonetheless out. Legendary coach Freddie Roach believed Askren can be the truth examine. “Ben is a pro and a good finisher. That comes from experience at an elite level. What has Jake Paul learned from the level of opposition he has faced?” Roach, who has skilled world champions equivalent to Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Julio Cesar Chávez Jr, had mentioned throughout battle week.
The pattern dimension remains to be small, however Paul positively has energy — the 24-year-old has produced three knockouts and 6 knockdowns over 4 rounds — and fundamentals (although the primary two KOs got here in opposition to a fellow YouTuber and a former NBA participant). Former world title challenger BJ Flores, who has been working with Paul for shut to 2 years, had predicted Askren “might not get out of the first round”.
More importantly, Paul can promote. The battle trended on social media all through the day. It being sanctioned meant bookmakers and gamblers had a busy day, with odds decidedly favouring Paul. Expect the braggart YouTuber to additional louden his act in the hunt for an enormous identify and greater payday.
Saturday’s occasion is predicted to do large numbers too. Justin Bieber, who skipped the Grammy Awards final month regardless of 4 nominations, carried out a protracted set. As did different in style artists equivalent to The Black Keys, Doja Cat, Saweetie, Diplo and Major Lazer. A suitably unhinged, pro-wrestling legend Ric Flair officiated a slapping contest on the undercard.
And fittingly, the weirdest a part of the night time was the one official contest between precise skilled boxers. Former WBA light-welterweight champion Regis Prograis received a technical choice over Ukrainian Ivan Redkach, who fell to the bottom and squirmed protecting his groin for 5 minutes.

Did you assume this was a authorized or unlawful blow?#TrillerFightClub pic.twitter.com/kCPllpCJFb
— FITE (@FiteTV) April 18, 2021
The previous proper hook from Prograis was adjudged a low blow although the replays confirmed the punch was nowhere close to the groin, wasn’t beneath the belt and didn’t even correctly land. Prograis noticed the replays and went complaining to the asserting sales space, the place he was comforted by Snoop Dogg.
Professional boxing, bah humbug!