ONE welterweight champ donates portion of prize money to PHL charity

MANILA - Because he failed to make weight for his title shot against welterweight champion Ben Askren in the main event of last Friday's ONE Championship: Global Rivals, Russian contender Nikolay Aleksakhin had to give up 20 percent of his purse to his opponent.

 

But instead of taking the money for himself, the American mixed martial arts champion opted to donate the money to a Philippine charity.

 

"My opponent has missed making weight so standard procedure for that is it's going to be a non-title fight but then he also has to give up 20% of his purse," said Askren.

 

"I didn't feel like it is the money I earned so I'm giving all of it to Children's Hour which is a great charity."

 

Askren went on to defeat Aleksakhin in the non-title catchweight fight at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay. And still basking in the glory of his latest victory, Askren explained how important it was to give back.

 

"I think it's important to give back to the community," said Askren. "Like I said it's not the money I earned so I feel good about giving it to Children's Hour and I know they'll all make very good use of it." — DVM, GMA News