Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren explained

Fight Date:April 17, 2021
Fight Name:Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren
Location:Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
Fighter2: Ben Askren
Nickname2:Funky
Record2:0–0 (Boxing)
19–2–1 (6 KOs) (MMA)
Hometown2:Cedar Rapids, Iowa, U.S.
Weight2:191 lb
Style2:Orthodox
Recognition2:Former Bellator welterweight champion
Former ONE Championship welterweight champion
Fighter1: Jake Paul
Nickname1:The Problem Child
Record1:2–0 (2 KOs)
Hometown1:Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.
Height1:[1]
Weight1:191+1/2 lb[2]
Style1:Orthodox
Result:Paul wins via 1st-round TKO

Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren was a cruiserweight professional crossover boxing match contested between American YouTuber Jake Paul and American former mixed martial artist Ben Askren. The bout took place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia on April 17, 2021.[3] Paul won the bout via TKO in one minute and 59 seconds of the first round.[4] The fight sold 500,000 PPV buys.

Background

The fight was announced on December 22, 2020, along with tentative plans to hold the match in Los Angeles. It was later announced that the venue had been changed to the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The event was held with limited attendance, consisting of 100 spectators who won tickets via promotions on the Triller app.[5] [6] The fight was executive produced by actress and producer Malea Rose who also served as the creative director for the events overall vision. [7]

On Mike Tyson's podcast, UFC President Dana White stated that he would be willing to bet $1 million on Jake Paul losing to Askren. Jake Paul responded to White's statement with excitement, and offered to double the wager.[8] Rapper Snoop Dogg also responded to Dana White's declaration, offering to bet $2 million on Jake Paul winning the fight.[9]

Fight card

Weight Classvs.MethodRoundTimeNotes
CruiserweightJake Pauldef.Ben AskrenTKO1/81:59
Light welterweightRegis Prograisdef.Ivan Redkach6/101:21
HeavyweightSteve Cunninghamdef.Frank MirUD6/6
Light heavyweightJoe Fournierdef.Reykon2/63:00
Super middleweightJunior Younandef.Jeyson MindaUD8/8
WelterweightQuinton Randalldef.William Jackson8/8



Broadcasting

The card was the inaugural event of Triller Fight Club, a new series of boxing events promoted by the video sharing app Triller (who had previously partnered with Legends Only League for 2020's Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr.) and rapper Snoop Dogg. The pay-per-view featured a similar mix of sports- and entertainment-oriented content to the Tyson vs. Jones PPV, including musical performances by The Black Keys, Diplo, Doja Cat, Justin Bieber, Major Lazer, Saweetie, and Mt. Westmore—a supergroup of Snoop Dogg, Ice Cube, Too $hort and E-40. Triller also streamed PRBLM CHILD, a documentary series hyping the fight.[5] [6]

The PPV was distributed via cable and satellite television providers in the United States and Canada, and also via the combat sports streaming service Fite TV (which was acquired by Triller during the direct lead-up to the fight).[10] [11]

Fight details

The bout was criticized by many pundits and combat sports athletes alike, as the retired MMA fighter Askren was known for succeeding in the octagon due to his grappling, and was widely regarded as one of the worst strikers in the sport.[12] [13] Aside from that, Askren, who had retired from the sport of MMA and was 36 at the time, had had a hip replacement in the months prior to signing the contract of the bout.[14]

In a contest between the younger and taller Paul and the more experienced athlete Askren, Paul worked his jab to keep Askren outside. Brent Brookhouse for CBS said Askren "looked stiff and robotic" in the early portion of the fight.[15] Paul landed with an overhand right halfway through the first round, with Askren falling straight legged to the canvas. Although Askren rose to his feet soon after, the referee called off the fight, with Askren showing some unsteadiness. After the fight, Askren commented that the stoppage was called too early, but otherwise seemed to be happy with the outcome.[16] '

Pay-per-view numbers

In 2022, Jake Paul would reveal the fight sold 500,000 PPV buys.[17]

Fight purses

According to the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission, Paul earned an official purse of $690,000 and Askren a $500,000 purse. These figures don't include any additional bonuses or PPV profits.[18]

Guaranteed base purses

Notes and References

  1. Web site: BoxRec Jake Paul . May 6, 2021.
  2. Web site: Jake Paul . BoxRec. April 17, 2021.
  3. https://www.boxingscene.com/jake-paul-vs-ben-askren-undercard-officially-announced--156052 Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren - Undercard Officially Announced
  4. News: Ben Askren tweets 'sorry world', walks away laughing after first-round KO by Jake Paul at Triller Fight Club. Nick . Atkins . South China Morning Post. April 18, 2021 .
  5. Web site: March 17, 2021. Justin Bieber, Snoop's New Group and More to Perform at Triller Fight Club's Jake Paul Bout. April 14, 2021. The Hollywood Reporter. en.
  6. Web site: Uncovering Triller Fight Club's boxing blueprint. April 14, 2021. SportsPro Media. en.
  7. Justin Bieber, Snoop's New Group & More to Perform at Triller Fight Club's Jake Paul Bout. Billboard. March 17, 2021.
  8. https://www.tmz.com/2021/03/10/dana-white-jake-paul-mike-tyson-2-million-bet-ben-askren-ufc/ Dana White to Jake Paul, I'd Bet $1 Million You Loose to Ben Askren
  9. https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2935860-snoop-dogg-wants-to-bet-dana-white-2-million-jake-paul-wins-ben-askren-fight/ Snoop Dogg Wants to Bet Dana White $2 Million Jake Paul Wins Ben Askren Fight
  10. Web site: Triller Acquires Fite.TV Ahead of Ben Askren-Jake Paul Boxing Pay-Per-View Event. April 18, 2021. Sherdog.
  11. Web site: Triller owner gets a new CEO with acquisition of Amplify.AI; also acquires live streaming service FITE TV. April 14, 2021. TechCrunch. en-US.
  12. Web site: January 28, 2021. Ben Askren Reveals Why He Agreed to Fight Jake Paul in a Boxing Match. essentiallysports.com.
  13. Web site: April 18, 2021. Ben Askren promised a 'circus' in Triller boxing bout against Jake Paul — and delivered in spades. MMA Mania.
  14. Web site: November 24, 2020. Ben Askren: 'Never say never' on return to MMA competition after successful hip surgery. MMA Fighting.
  15. Web site: Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren fight results, highlights: Paul crushes Askren for first-round TKO. April 18, 2021 .
  16. News: Ben Askren apologises to the world for losing to YouTuber Jake Paul. ABC News. April 18, 2021.
  17. Web site: How Many PPV Buys Did Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren Do- is 'The Problem Child' Quitting Boxing? . 2023-06-27 . thesportsrush.com . January 10, 2023 .
  18. Web site: Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren salaries released. Alexander K. Lee. April 16, 2021. mmafighting.com.