Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren fight results, highlights: Paul crushes Askren for first-round TKO
Paul made good on his word and stopped the former MMA world champion in under a minute on Saturday night
Jake Paul still hasn't fought a professional boxer in his short boxing career, but he now owns a knockout victory over a professional fighter. Paul scored a first-round TKO over former UFC fighter Ben Askren in their main event clash from inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Paul, a YouTube star, came out fast against Askren, working off a jab that he used to Askren's head and body. Askren, an accomplished wrestler who was never known as a striker in his successful mixed martial arts career, looked stiff and slightly robotic as he tried to figure out a way inside on the younger, stronger and faster Paul.
With Paul showing solid technique, it felt clear Askren would have to turn things into a dirtier fight than a straight boxing match. Unfortunately for Askren, a crushing overhand right from Paul sent him spilling to the floor. Despite beating the count, the referee deemed Askren unable to continue and called the fight off at the 1:59 mark of Round 1.
Askren protested the stoppage, but the replay did show that, as the referee told Askren to walk forward, the former mixed martial artist moved sideways at the same time. Askren was shown walking backstage smiling after the bout, apparently in good spirits after making $500,000 in disclosed pay for the bout.
"It's been four months, I've been in training camp every day," Paul said after his win. "I deserve this shit. I don't know how many times I have to prove myself that this is for real."
Paul still needs to prove that he can compete against trained boxers, but has done everything that could reasonably asked in his trio of circus fights to start his boxing career. Paul turned professional with a first round TKO of fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib before brutally stopping former NBA star Nate Robinson in a viral knockout in his next fight. Now, having beat Askren, it remains to be seen if Paul will look to continue trying to establish himself as a legitimate boxer or continue on a path that has been undeniably successful from a financial standpoint.
Askren, to his credit, kept a level head after the fight when talking with reporters.
"I wasn't nervous at all because at the end of the day, my life doesn't change one way or the other," Askren said. "In MMA, I was always pursuing or defending a world title, and you know, today, I was doing a fun boxing match. If it turned out great, then great. If it turned out shit, then my life is the same. So there were really no nerves whatsoever."
Elsewhere on the card, Regis Prograis scored a decision win over Ivan Redkach in fairly unique fashion. While up on the scorecards, Prograis went to throw a right hook to the body that seemed to glance off the side. However, Redkach immediately went to the mat writhing in pain. Redkach claimed it was a lowblow that caught him in the groin, but replay showed from multiple angles that it did not. Redkach was eventually stretchered out of the ring and the fight went straight to the scorecards, where it was a clean sweep for Prograis.
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CBS Sports was with you throughout the entire way on Saturday, so be sure to follow along with the live results and highlights below.
Fight card, results
- Jake Paul def. Ben Askren via first-round TKO (ref stoppage)
- Regis Prograis def. Ivan Redkach via unanimous 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 second-round TKO (corner stoppage)
Paul vs. Askren scorecard, live coverage
Round | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Paul | | | |||||||
Askren | | |
Paul is taking his victory lap around the ring as he celebrates with his brother, Logan, before joining Snoop Dogg in the announce booth to continue the party.
Askren beat the count but stumbled walking forward as the referee was checking on him and this fight is over. Jake Paul dominated and flattened Askren. Official result: Jake Paul def. Ben Askren via TKO, Round 1
Paul landed a left hook and a shot to the body. Paul landed a massive right hand and Askren went down hard!
Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren -- Round 1: Paul nearly sprinted to the center of the ring, landing a jab and then a follow up jab to the body. Askren landed an overhand right. Paul went back to the body with a jab and circled away as Askren tried to rush in and grab a clinch. Paul landed an overhand right and then landed a solid jab.
Jake Paul had his robot mascot in tow for his ring walk. The fighters are in the ring and introductions are about to take place.
We are moments away from the ring walks for Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul.
Justin Bieber now performing as we hit the final stretch of musical performances ahead of the main event between Jake Paul and Ben Askren.
Official result: Regis Prograis def. Ivan Redkach via unanimous decision (60-54, 60-54, 59-54)
Redkach is now being stretchered out. This whole situation is a terrible look for Redkach, who is coming off a fight in which he bit Danny Garcia and received a one-year suspension.
Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach -- Round 6: Prograis snapped Redkach's head back with a heavy jab. A left hand hurt Redkach and Prograis tried to find a finish, working to the body and head, dropping clubbing shots before dropping a heavy shot to the body that dropped Redkach to the canvas. Redkach claimed the punch was to the cup, but the replay showed it clearly landing to his side. The ref ruled it a low blow and gave Redkach time to recover, but Redkach continued rolling around on the floor grabbing his crotch.
Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach -- Round 5: Redkach appeared to have regained his footing between rounds, but Prograis again got his powerful left hand going. Redkach continued coming up short with his jab, and Prograis has been able to slip almost all shots from Prograis. Redkach spent much of the round circling more than throwing and Prograis took his foot off the gas a bit for the frame.
Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach -- Round 4: Prograis came out hot, throwing bombs, but Redkach slipped and circled away. Prograis landed a huge left hand, stunning Redkach and trying to flurry behind it, but Redkach took it well. Prograis followed a jab with a left straight. Prograis landed a right hook, hurting Redkach. Before Prograis could finish Redkach off, the round came to a close.
Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach -- Round 3: Progrias worked an early right hook before sticking out the jab again. Redkach continued to struggle to get past the jabs and that opened up the overhand lefts of Prograis. Redkach tried to establish his own jab but continued to eat the straight shots of Prograis, who is slowly running away with the fight after three rounds.
Regis Prograis vs. Ivan Redkach -- Round 2: Prograis flurried with jabs and rght hooks early, keeping Redkach off balance. Prograis opened up with some heavy leather, forcing Redkach backward as the hooks and overhands started to connect. Prograis dug to the body with several good shots. A shot from Prograis strayed low but the action continued. A big overhand left connected hard for Prograis and appeared to hurt Redkach, but Redkach threw his best punch of the fight in return, landing his own left seconds later.