Ben Askren trains with Freddie Roach in preparation for boxing debut

Former Bellator and ONE welterweight champion Ben Askren is training with Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach ahead of his boxing debut against YouTuber Jake Paul on April 16 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, USA.

Askren retired from mixed martial arts in 2019 after losing twice in a row in the UFC. Known for his wrestling and subpar striking, Askren said that he does not need to be a world-class boxer to beat Paul.

"I'm trying to be as good of a boxer as I can. I'm not under the impression that I'm going to be a pro boxer. I've been top 10 in the world in four different sports," Askren told MMA Junkie.

"I know what it's like to be world-class. I'm not going to be a world-class boxer, but I don't got to be a world-class boxer. I just got to beat up Jake freaking Paul. That ain't going to be that hard, guys," he said.

READ: Ben Askren shows boxing training ahead of Jake Paul fight

Askren is currently in California and would stay there for a week. And though his time at the Wild Card Boxing gym is temporary, the 36-year-old retired mixed martial artist promised that he would make the most out of it.

"I'm only in LA for a week, so I'm going to get as much as I can out of Freddie Roach. I’m gonna pick his brain." —MGP, GMA News