The Conversation (0)
Liam O'Dell
Apr 18, 2021
YouTuber Jake Paul secured his latest boxing victory on Saturday after beating MMA star Ben Askren, but Twitter users have since accused the fight of being ‘rigged’.
Paul defeated Askren in the first round by way of technical knockout (TKO), in a bout which ended in just under a minute.
The vlogger now has a 3-0 professional record after beating Askren, fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former basketball player Nate Robinson.
“I just had a dream, and I chased it. I worked hard,” said Paul in a post-match interview.
In addition to the match itself, the event also boasted several musical performances, with Snoop Dogg, Justin Bieber, Doja Cat and Major Lazer among those who took to the stage throughout the evening.
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However, Paul’s latest match has left people suspicious, with several people taking to Twitter to claim that the fight, which took place at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, was “staged” or “rigged”:
This how Ben Askren feeling on the inside after that rigged fight with Jake Paul https://t.co/UcLguGKDsN— Weekly Newsical (@Weekly Newsical) 1618722796
There is something lowkey inspiring about Jake Paul making enough money to just drop everythng and pay everyone aro… https://t.co/RFED4k5TS8— Robbie Fox (@Robbie Fox) 1618723710
Anyone: The Jake Paul fight was not rigged Ben Askren: https://t.co/WdnCi2btCy— Pizza Dad (@Pizza Dad) 1618723535
Others, meanwhile, pointed out the fact that Paul is yet to fight a professional boxer in the ring:
If Jake Paul keeps saying he’s a pro boxer .. why doesn’t he fight ... a pro boxer ?— Vinny Guadagnino (@Vinny Guadagnino) 1618731611
I for one am not giving Jake Paul ANY CREDIT until he actually shows some courage by engaging in a REAL FIGHT again… https://t.co/O2VjiglJa2— Alanah Pearce (@Alanah Pearce) 1618727635
This would be Jake Paul if he actually fought Mayweather, McGregor, Canelo or any elite professional fighter https://t.co/drXjXki7sa— Rich (@Rich) 1618724672
See, this has to stop. @jakepaul is not some scrub. He’s a pro now. Askren, even though he’s a @ufc fighter, is a g… https://t.co/7D2CDsigLT— Stephen A Smith (@Stephen A Smith) 1618721838
There were also comments around future opponents for Paul:
KSI vs Jake Paul is the natural fight that people want - give them it 😴😴— Joe Weller (@Joe Weller) 1618723825
The one man that Jake Paul is scared to box. https://t.co/ikzo39bh20— Troydan (@Troydan) 1618724703
Come on guys the fight wasn’t rigged just because Jake Paul won. Who would think boxing is rigged........ Oh wait… https://t.co/k8NL8LPnks— Qbscurity (@Qbscurity) 1618723037
Questions were also raised over Askren’s appearance after the fight, with one commenting that “he sure looks happy for someone who just got KO’d”:
I take back all my tweets about #JakePaul winning #BenAskren smiling all happy after getting knocked out shiiiit wa… https://t.co/9qkoUdwuKH— Kyle Boland (@Kyle Boland) 1618737327
Surely this was rigged hes way too happy #JakePaul #BenAskren https://t.co/lBLSCPOzuo— Pepito (@Pepito) 1618722070
The Jake Paul fight def wasn’t rigged, I mean look at the injuries on Ben Askren. I hope he recovers.… https://t.co/OatvsjE8oS— Austin (@Austin) 1618722471
According to LADBible, Askren reportedly made $500,000 (more than £361,000) from the fight, while Paul raked in $690,000 (almost £500,000).
In amongst all the fighting. however, some were more interested in Justin Bieber’s performance:
Justin Bieber concert > Jake Paul fight— Adri💙🚂🤍 (@Adri💙🚂🤍) 1618723014
What was Jake paul doing at a justin bieber concert— Kiwi (@Kiwi) 1618724035
why was Jake Paul fighting somebody's dad at a Justin Bieber concert ?— Joeson (@Joeson) 1618724299
jake paul disrespectful asl tryna start a fight at a Justin Bieber concert.— hayat 🦋 (@hayat 🦋) 1618723796
Paul’s latest win will only heighten anticipation for a match against fellow content creator KSI (real name Olajide Olatunji), who defeated his brother Logan in a fight in November 2019.
After Paul delivered a brutal knockout blow to Robinson last year, Olatunji tweeted: “I saw nothing special from Jake lol. Soon come.”
Paul has also repeatedly called out MMA fighter Conor McGregor for a match, but the American’s next contest is yet to be confirmed.