Former MMA champion and Olympic wrestler Ben Askren makes his boxing debut when he takes on YouTube and internet sensation Jake Paul on Saturday in a celebrity eight-round cruiserweight bout from Atlanta. The matchup is part of a four-flight boxing card scheduled for Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The main card begins at 9 p.m. ET. It will be Paul's third pro match after entering the ring for the first time in January 2020.
Paul enters as a -165 favorite (risk $165 to win $100), while Askren is at +140 in the latest Paul vs. Askren odds from William Hill Sportsbook. The over-under for total rounds expected is set at 5.5. Before locking in any Askren vs. Paul picks, make sure you check out the boxing predictions from SportsLine combat sports analyst Brandon Wise.
Wise, who is the combat sports editor for CBS Sports, first made an impact with SportsLine members with his UFC and MMA predictions, providing additional value because of his knack for not only predicting winners but nailing the method of victory as well.
Since the UFC returned in May 2020 following a six-week period of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic, Wise has gone 68-45-2 while nailing the method of victory 50 times. At UFC 256, Wise went 4-0-1 (the main event was a draw) and correctly nailed the method of victory in three of those winners.
Wise also is an experienced boxing analyst and has produced similar results with his predictions. Just two weeks ago, Wise told SportsLine members to back Jamel Herring (+105) against Carl Frampton (-125) for the WBO junior lightweight title. Anyone who has followed Wise's combat sports selections has seen massive returns.
Now, with Saturday's showdown fast approaching, Wise has studied Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren from every angle, identified the best value in the boxing odds and released highly confident picks. Head to SportsLine to see all of his boxing picks.
Jake Paul vs. Ben Askren preview
Wise notes that Askren has a lot to overcome in his debut. At age 36, he is 12 years older than Paul, and is coming off major hip surgery. Despite all of that, Wise says this is a chance for Askren to have a solid pay day as well as gives him an opportunity to get back into shape.
Askren finished his career with a 19-2 record, including a 1-2 mark in UFC. He was a ONE welterweight champion as well as the Bellator welterweight title holder. He began his career in February 2009 before retiring from the sport in November 2019.
For Paul, this fight allows the social media influencer to step up a level in competition. He started his professional boxing career in January of last year and won by TKO in 2:18 of the first round over AnEsonGib, a fellow YouTuber known as Gib.
He followed that up by pounding former NBA player Nate Robinson and posted a second-round knockout. Now Paul faces his biggest challenge to date.Wise is only sharing his coveted picks here.
How to make Askren vs. Paul picks
Wise likes the under 5.5 total rounds. He's also made the call on which fighter wins, and has locked in a strong pick on a method of victory prop. You can see all of his picks and analysis here.
Who wins Askren vs. Paul? And which prop is a must-back? Visit SportsLine now to see Brandon Wise's best bets for Saturday, all from the CBS combat sports specialist who was all over Jamel Herring's win, and find out.
