How the fighting world is predicting Jake Paul vs Ben Askren

Tomorrow night, Jake Paul and Ben Askren will finally settle their differences in a boxing fight under the Triller Fight Club banner.

The YouTube star and retired MMA fighter will clash in one of the most unusual encounters in boxing history. Still, even with all of the chaos that comes with it, there’s a lot of intrigue behind the bout.

Everyone from fans to fighters are weighing in on what will happen and we’ve picked out a few of our favourite predictions.

Leon Edwards (MMA fighter) – Paul win

“He’s [Askren] going to get knocked out, I’m serious,” Edwards told talkSPORT. “It’s going to be bad for MMA, man. I don’t know who agreed to this. I don’t think it’s going to be good for MMA and he’s going to get chinned. But, it’s going to be funny to see.”

Teofimo Lopez (Boxer) – Askren win

“Man, Ben, you’d better whoop his [freakin’ butt].”

When asked if an Askren win was his official prediction, Lopez simply said: “Yes.”

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Colby Covington (MMA fighter) – Askren win

“Hopefully Ben goes out there and knocks out Jake Paul,” Covington said. “I’m just sick of hearing him talk. He’s just running his mouth and there’s no substance behind anything he says. I think he will [beat Paul], I think he’s just going to put that pressure on him.

“If he uses the clinch and just ties him up and just gets him tired, there’s no doubt he has a better gas tank than Jake Paul—some little YouTuber. The kid’s a complete joke, he’s an embarrassment to society, he’s an embarrassment to the MMA and boxing world in general. I hope Ben goes out there and shuts his mouth.”

Demetrious Johnson (MMA fighter) – Paul win

“Ben Askren hasn’t been the best striker in mixed martial arts,” Johnson told MMA Fighting. “Do I think he’ll be the best striker in boxing? I would say I don’t think it’s gonna happen. Yes, I know Jake Paul is a YouTube star. He’s training just as hard as a world champion is.

“He has unlimited access to the best trainers in the world. He has the funding, not saying Ben Askren doesn’t but anytime you fight somebody who has training, there’s always that chance. I’m not discounting Ben Askren out of this fight. [But] I think [Paul is] gonna win the fight.”

Eddie Hearn (Boxing promoter) – Paul win

“Now he fights Ben Askren. Ben Askren has all the striking ability of Adam Smith of Sky,” Hearn said. “Sorry, Adam, I just threw that out. I don’t know why. But he [Askren] does fight for a living. 

“So when he does knock Ben Askren out in a round, which he will, at what point do you say actually ‘this guy ain’t bad?’”

Featured image credit: Getty