JAKE PAUL’S sparring partner has predicted the YouTuber will leave Ben Askren ‘out cold’, warning: ‘He’s going to shock people.’
Paul will face the ex-UFC welterweight in his third professional fight on April 17, having won his first two by stoppage.
Brit Jake Bostwick – currently living out in America – was approached by an old gym mate who revealed Paul wanted to spar him.
And the current bare-knuckle boxer and former MMA fighter was left impressed after their three-round session in Miami.
He warned Askren – who has never boxed before and fought primarily as a grappler – that Paul possesses the power to leave him out for the count.
Bostwick told SunSport: “Honestly, I think Jake will knock him out within two or three rounds, I really do, 100 per cent.
“I feel like his boxing’s going to be way better than Askren’s, he’s the bigger man, he uses range well.
“I really think he can knock him out cold for sure.
“With those 10oz gloves, and he boxes how I feel he can, especially by April, I think he can sleep him, cold.
“I believe for sure he’s going to shock people.”
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Paul made his professional debut in January 2020, beating internet rival ‘AnEsonGib’ in one round.
He followed it up with a viral KO against ex-NBA star Nate Robinson in November, on the undercard of Mike Tyson’s comeback.
Askren, 36, will mark a huge step up for the social media sensation, coming with a vast amount of experience in MMA before his retirement in 2019.
Paul has been levelled with criticism and scepticism for having lots to say without yet proving himself against an opponent with a fighting background.
But Bostwick revealed the 24-year-old multimillionaire vlogger is working tirelessly behind closed doors to back up his bold claims.
And Paul, guided by coach and former cruiserweight BJ Flores, is proving his worth in the gym, learning quickly on the job.
Bostwick, 31, said: “I genuinely rate his boxing.
“I rate his work ethic and I rate how comfortable he is in there with someone of my calibre or anyone else he’s working with.
“I hit him with some clean shots, he didn’t care, threw some shots back, slipping, moving, his jab is good.”
Paul has already set his sights on future super-fights with UFC stars Conor McGregor, 32, Nate Diaz, 35, and Jorge Masvidal, 36.
He even claimed to have sent McGregor a $50million offer, but after the Irishman lost to Dustin Poirier, 32, the deal was cheekily cut to just $10,000.
Paul has used his career as a successful YouTuber with 20MILLION subscribers to grab the attention of rivals.
But Bostwick admits in private the showman is far more humble instead of his brash online persona.
He compares Paul to UFC bad boy Colby Covington, the vocal Donald Trump supporter who has become public enemy No1.
Bostwick explained: “Jake’s not just this stupid person people think he is who runs his mouth.
“He is super polite, the dude was like, ‘Please, thank you’, he shook my hand. He’s very respectful.
“He runs his mouth and a lot of people don’t like that but he’s got nothing to lose, he doesn’t give a s***.
“He’s got money behind him, he’s got his friends behind him and if you understand who he is, he’s pretty cool.
“Same thing with Colby Covington, with his Trump hat, but in person he’s like, ‘Oh, hello Jake’. He’ll say your full name, shake your hand.
“These people are nice, it’s just for show.”
