Last night, the world got to witness the boxing match between Jake Paul (3-0) and former MMA world champion Ben Askren (19-2, 1 NC). Heading into the matchup it was tough to predict what was truly going to happen.
On one hand, you’d think Jake Paul would be a massive favorite. While that might not make much sense, it does when considering the opponent. Yes, it is true that Ben Askren is a former world champion in two different MMA organizations.
However, he’s also one of the worst strikers of all time when considering MMA world champions. Askren is known for his funky style of wrestling and certainly not known for his boxing.
Ben Askren was also coming off of hip replacement surgery. However, he still took the boxing match and I gave him a chance. If you’re a fan of Ben Askren or just a fan of legitimate combat sports, last night couldn’t have gone worse.
In their boxing match, Jake Paul knocked out Ben Askren in the first round. After the fight was over, Paul continued to call out MMA fighters including Askren’s teammate and former UFC champion Tyron Woodley (19-7-1).
Enjoy saying you are a fighter for another day. Try that shit against me i'm catching a body @jakepaul And you mob with hoes. I wouldn't walk into a pillow fight with them. https://t.co/CKVwEH5Yj2
— Tyron T-Wood Woodley (@TWooodley) April 18, 2021
Would a boxing match happen?
Before last night’s boxing match, there was a run in backstage between Woodley and Paul’s team. Let’s get wrong thing out of the way and be very clear about this; Tyron Woodley is not Ben Askren.
Even with Woodley having lost his last four fights inside the octagon, he is a completely different animal. I guarantee that Tyron Woodley packs a bigger punch than Jake Paul does and for that reason, I can’t see Paul accepting a boxing match with Woodley.
In reality, Jake Paul is likely going to look for another matchup against a pure grappler. Dylan Danis is likely going to be the choice or someone like that. Not someone who poses a seriously threat on the feet.
I’ll give Jake Paul credit for taking boxing seriously in terms of his preparation. However, last night does nothing in terms of earning respect in the combat sports world. He beat arguably the worst MMA striker of all time who was retired and coming off hip surgery.
Yes, you still have to go out and perform which is what Jake Paul did. However, if he wants true boxing respect, he needs to box someone that actually poses a threat. Tyron Woodley would be that opponent, but I can’t see Jake Paul taking the fight.