As BoxingScene.com previously reported, Youtube star Jake Paul is returning to the boxing ring on April 17, as he headlines a pay-per-view event backed by the Triller app.

In other corner is mixed martial arts veteran Ben Askren, who fought for the UFC, Bellator and One Championship.

Askren retired from MMA after suffering back to back defeats in the UFC in 2019, which are the only two losses in his pro career in mixed martial arts - with 19 wins under his belt.

Paul (2-0, 2 KOs) was the co-featured PPV attraction in November, when he viciously knocked out NBA star Nate Robinson in two rounds on the Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones undercard.

He predicts another brutal knockout, this time against an athlete with a fighting background.

“Ben Askren is a two-time NCAA champion, a world champion in two different global mixed martial arts organizations and has less losses on his record than Connor McGregor,” said Jake Paul.

“Me on the other hand, I started boxing two years ago….and I’m still going to knock his ass out faster than Masvidal. These MMA guys think because they throw punches they know how to box. The world complained because I knocked out a basketball player and not a real fighter. So now I’m giving the people what they want by taking on a 'real fighter.' After Ben Askren is added to my knockout meme collection, what can anybody say? Thank you to Triller for giving me the platform to once again put a man to sleep. April 17th, it’s lights out for Askren.”

The Tyson-Jones PPV generated tremendous business for Triller - with nearly 1.6 million buys. They anticipate another successful venture with Paul-Askren.  

“We announced Jake last week to an unprecedented amount of interaction on Triller and it was painfully clear fans want to see Jake fight Ben. You asked, we delivered,” Bobby Sarnavesht Executive Chairman and co-founder of Triller said.

“Ben Askren is an experienced fighter, and we can’t wait to see what happens when he steps foot into the ring with Jake Paul after seeing Jake’s KO in November. This is an event not to be missed!”