Ben Askren is formally accepting Jake Paul’s offer to a boxing match.
Askren confirmed the bout after Chael Sonnen floated around a promotional graphic for a Paul vs. Askren boxing match in Los Angeles on March 28. “Funky” Ben accepted Paul’s call out in a video posted to Instagram and Twitter.
Yes @jakepaul I accept. See you March 28. pic.twitter.com/eJ6EUXwTwT
— Funky (@Benaskren) December 23, 2020
“Yes, Mr. Jake Paul. I do accept,” Askren began. “I know you called me out after your last fight against that bum Nate Robinson. It’s a pretty simple choice. I’m going to make a whole bunch of money to beat up a guy who is pretending to be an athlete. Because at the end of the day, that’s what you’re doing. I know you may think I do not have too many stand-up skills, but also at the end of the day, I don’t really need to. I’m a world-class athlete. I’ve won state titles, I’ve been to the Olympics, I’ve won world titles in multiple organizations.”
“Quite frankly, I am impressed that you have deluded yourself into thinking that you are actually a fighter. That you are actually tough. That you can really box. It’s quite impressive that beating up another YouTuber and beating up a [basketball player] who looked like he’d never been in the ring before somehow makes you good at boxing. Because it doesn’t,” Askren concluded. “Yes, Jake. I accept. I will see you [on] March 28 in Los Angeles. And I will humble you like millions of people want to see happen.”
Paul is (2-0) as a professional boxer with knockout wins over fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib and former three-time NBA slam dunk champion Nate Robinson. Askren has no professional boxing matches under his belt; however, he is a former Bellator and ONE Championship titleholder with an MMA record of 19-2 (1). Take a look below at the promotional graphic floated by Sonnen.
. @jakepaul doesn’t trust many in the media to spread the word…. I’m was told “Ben then Dillion.” pic.twitter.com/evn9WdznoA
— Chael Sonnen (@ChaelSonnen) December 22, 2020
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