Exhibition boxing matches have become all the rage in recent years. The key? Putting together a matchup that generates a ton of interest. And, well, that mission has been accomplished yet again. Boxing fans are intensely intrigued by the upcoming Jake Paul vs Askren fight.
Count us among them. And wouldn't you know it, we have predictions based on the latest Ben Askren vs Jake Paul odds. Here's a look at where the Paul vs Askren betting lines currently lie, courtesy of Bovada:
Be sure to double-check these Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul odds before settling on a pick. If you're using a different sportsbook, such as the ever-reliable BetOnline or BetUS, you'll also want to confirm they're not delivering drastically different Jake Paul vs Ben Askren odds.
Ben Askren vs. Jake Paul Betting Breakdown
Before we get to our analysis and prediction for this matchup, let's check out all the details on the Jake Paul vs Ben Askren fight date:
- When: Saturday, April 17
- Time: 9 p.m. EST
- Where: Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia
- How to Watch: Thriller Fight Club
As a reminder, you'll want to keep this Jake Paul vs Ben Askren date in mind. Since there's so much time between now and the opening bell, that means the latest Ben Askren vs Paul odds are probably going to shift a bunch of times in the coming weeks.
The Case for Jake Paul
At this point, some of you might be asking: Who the heck is Jake Paul?
It's not an unfair question. He isn't technically a boxer. He is best known for his acting work on the Disney Channel and, more recently, his YouTube content. He has only just started becoming more of a mainstay in the boxing world.
Paul's first foray into fighting came during a matchup with fellow YouTuber Deji Olatunji, on the undercard of a meeting between their brothers. Since then, Paul has fought at a professional level on two occasions. Most prominently, he beat former NBA player Nate Robinson with a second-round knockout on the undercard of Mike Tyson's comeback fight vs Roy Jones Jr.
The rumor mill had Paul potentially setting up fights with Conor McGregor or Dillon Danis, but he has invariably lined up against the mixed-martial-arts stylings of Ben Askren. And if their weigh-in is any indication, these two do not like each other one bit:
Things got physical between Jake Paul and Ben Askren 👀 pic.twitter.com/6SjUXv69jg
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) March 26, 2021
Traditionally, we would need to review the film and look at Ben Askren vs Jake Paul stats to get a hold on this match. That isn't really possible. Paul's boxing career is in its infancy and he's never faced a true pro fighter. Askren, meanwhile, is coming over from a completely different sport.
Still, Paul has garnered praise for his aggressive style and the subtle implementation of power. Knocking out the 5'9" Robins was no easy feat, and he has put on operable—not to mention noticeable—mass since his first fight.
On top of that, Paul also technically has more experience than Askren, who has never fought in a professional boxing match before. That familiarity could be important.
The Case for Ben Askren
On the flip side, let's be real: Paul doesn't actually have more experience than Askren. The latter is a professional UFC fighter who has a career record of 19-2 in the Octagon. He may be used to working under a different discipline, but only one of these participants is actually a professional.
It will be interesting to see how Askren's skill set translates to boxing, particularly when he's put on the defensive. He is, after all, not known for his evasive maneuvers.
Opponents have landed 64 percent of their strikes against him in the octagon. That's an astronomically high number.
To Askren's credit, he should have the advantage in footwork and mechanics. But is that enough?
Ben Askren vs Jake Paul Prediction
Many oddsmakers are not weighing Ben Askren's boxing experience very heavily. Bovada has Jake Paul listed as the favorite, and they're not alone.
At the same time, the betting lines for this fight have been all over the place. After some poking around the internet, we have seen Paul listed anywhere between a -165 and +105 at various sportsbooks. That speaks to the lack of boxing samples from both fighters.
The scuffle between the two at their March press conference has only complicated matters. Bettors were initially flocking to Paul. The action has since tilted in Askren's favor. People are seeing the potential for a 1-to-1 payout and pouncing.
While we don't like to jump on trends, we do agree with this one. Askren's biggest weaknesses shouldn't hurt him too much against a relative amateur like Paul. His inability to defend knees almost doesn't matter; you can't throw knees in boxing. It won't be as easy for Paul to overpower him either. He is taller and longer than Robinson, albeit he weighs slightly less.
This feels like a boom-or-bust situation, to be honest. Maybe Paul's power can secure him a first or early second-round knockout. But if the fight goes longer than that, the pick should be Askren.
OSB Prediction: Ben Askren (+100)
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