Editor’s note: This story was originally posted on MMAJunkie.com.
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ATLANTA – Jake Paul lived up to his promise and proved to be superior to Ben Askren in their boxing match Saturday.
After much anticipation, Paul and Askren finally stepped into the ring to trade blows. It was one-way action, though, with Paul winning by first-round TKO at the 1:59 mark after the referee ruled Askren unable to continue, despite answering the count following a knockdown.
The cruiserweight bout (190 pounds) headlined the Triller Fight Club event at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The main card aired on pay-per-view.
Paul, the YouTuber, actor and rapper, made his boxing debut in January 2020 with a first-round TKO of fellow YouTuber Ali Eson Gib. His second fight came in November, when he beat former NBA player and Slam Dunk champion Nate Robinson with a knockout that went viral.
Now he adds Askren’s name to his resume, and he said the next challenge will be a sterner one as he looks to further add to his resume.
Askren, meanwhile, is likely done in the fight game.
After suffering back-to-back losses to Jorge Masvidal and Demian Maia under the UFC banner, Askren retired from competition in November 2019. He subsequently underwent hip replacement surgery, and that seemingly put a bow on his time in the fight game.
More than a year later, however, the opportunity to box Paul arose, and he opted to have at it. The result didn’t go his way, and the 36-year-old may now be done for good.
Complete Triller Fight Club results included:
- Jake Paul def. Ben Askren via TKO – Round 1, 1:59
- Regis Prograis def. Ivan Redkach via technical decision (60-54, 60-54, 59-54)
- Steve Cunningham def. Frank Mir via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 58-56)
- Joe Fournier def. Reykon via TKO (did not answer bell) – Round 3, 3:00