Retired UFC fighter Ben Askren to make boxing debut against Youtuber Jake Paul

Former Bellator and ONE Championship welterweight champion Ben Askren is set to make his professional boxing debut against Youtube sensation Jake Paul on April 17 in a yet to be determined venue.

The eight-round contest which was announced by both Askren and Paul on social media is scheduled to air on Triller pay-per-view.

It’s official????. April 17th. @triller Fight Club. pic.twitter.com/eYcaTOJhlt

— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) January 26, 2021

“It’s cute that Jake thinks he is a real fighter, I’m gonna beat him up April 17,” Askren wrote on Twitter.

Its cute that Jake thinks he is a real fighter, Im gonna beat him up April 17 https://t.co/XcsJ8WhmR3

— Funky (@Benaskren) January 26, 2021

The 36-year-old Askren retired from mixed martial arts following back-to-back defeats in the UFC at the hands of Demian Maia and fan favorite Jorge Masvidal, who defeated him by a five-second knockout with a flying knee.

Paul, meanwhile, is 2-0 as a boxer. He last fought in the co-main event of Tyson vs Jones in November where defeated former NBA player Nate Robinson by way of second-round knockout. – JM Siasat/RC, GMA News