YouTuber Jake Paul and former UFC fighter Ben Askren are finally set to clash in the middle of a boxing ring this weekend. The event will take place on Saturday, April 17 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
The fight is expected to attract a wide arrange of spectators. Some will watch because they like boxing while others might watch because they’re fans of Paul’s YouTube channel. Some may even watch it because they want to see the off chance that Paul gets knocked out.
As with most big boxing matches, either professional or celebrity, sports bettors are excited to place some big wagers on the fight. As it stands, BetOnline is favoring Jake Paul to beat Ben Askren on Saturday. Paul’s odds of winning are -165.
Nevertheless, anything can happen in a boxing match. While Paul has more professional boxing experience, Askren is still a trained fighter and shouldn’t go down easily.
Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren Odds
Odds via BetOnline as of Friday, April 16
- Jake Paul (-165) vs. Ben Askren (+135)
- OVER/UNDER: Over 5.5 rounds (-105), Under 5.5 Rounds (-125)
Will Jake Paul Continue Undefeated Streak by Defeating Ben Askren?
While people certainly have their opinions on Jake Paul and his personality, there’s no doubt that he can box better than anyone thought. He defeated fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former NBA player Nate Robinson in boxing matches last year. While neither of those men were professional boxers or fighters, Paul managed to knock both of them out, so he’s entering his fight with Ben Askren at 2-0.
Jake Paul also has more boxing-related training than Askren does, which could be why he’s being favored. Another thing that might work in Paul’s favor is the fact that Askren hasn’t competed in a combat sport in nearly two years. His last UFC fight came in October 2019 when he submitted to Demian Maia. Still, Askren is a trained fighter for a reason and could wind up making people eat their words when it comes to making him the underdog this weekend.
Yes, Askren isn’t a trained boxer, but he’s still used to getting punched in the face by fighters who are a lot more talented than Paul. Askren knows how to take a beating and fight back. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have held the Bellator Welterweight Championship in the past. It’s not to say that devalues the time that Jake Paul spent training and getting better at boxing. It’s just to say that maybe Askren shouldn’t be the underdog that everyone’s making him out to be.
What Will Be the Method of Victory?
Odds via BetOnline as of Friday, April 16
- Paul by KO, TKO or DQ (+100)
- Askren by Decision (+325)
- Askren by KO, TKO or DQ (+375)
- Paul by Decision (+475)
- Draw (+1200)
According to BetOnline, the most likely way that this boxing match will end will be Jake Paul winning by KO, TKO or DQ at +100 odds. He’s already won his first two fights by KO and TKO respectively, finishing his opponents within the first two rounds. BetOnline also favored that the fight would end in five or fewer rounds (-125), which aligns with the idea that Paul will win in some fashion.
On the other hand, Ben Askren’s best shot to win, as per the sportsbook, is via decision (+325). It’s important to remember that Askren isn’t an MMA knockout artist. In fact, his most frequent method of victory for him was to win via decision, which happened seven times. Whether or not he can translate that into a boxing ring remains to be seen.
