Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
Andrew Schulz's Flagrant with Akaash Singh
"The only way it could be a little slightly bit more perfect is if Ben Askren was black. It's the only way a racial component in a fight always peaks interest, and I think the highest selling fight I think in history before recent was Mike Tyson versus some like white stiff I don't know." — Andrew Schulz
"Jake Paul is trying to turn celebrity boxing into like a big universal thing. And I think that was done with the Nate Robinson verse, the Pauls because it's like they two different worlds, but also it's like pop culture versus like, this internet pop culture. So, it brought those two worlds together." — Akaash Singh
"The public doesn't realize that there's a vast difference between a boxer's boxing ability and an MMA fighter's boxing ability. They both see them as like striking sports where you can knock someone out. So they're like, that's a fight to fight. There's a soft spot that he found, which is these guys who can box will come box and I can box." — Mark Gagnon (implied)
The podcast clip analyzes the strategic matchmaking of Jake Paul's upcoming boxing match against Ben Askren. Speakers highlight Askren as a "perfect opponent" due to his background as an elite wrestler in MMA, contrasting it with his perceived limited boxing skills. This selection is seen as a calculated move by Paul to legitimize his boxing aspirations by facing a recognized combat sports athlete, while simultaneously exploiting the public's potential overestimation of an MMA fighter's boxing prowess. The discussion touches on how such matchups can generate significant interest by bridging different fan bases, including MMA followers and Jake Paul's existing audience, thus expanding the reach of celebrity boxing.
Further analysis delves into the broader implications for Jake Paul's career, suggesting his goal is not just celebrity boxing but to establish himself as a genuine fighter capable of facing higher-tier opponents. The conversation explores the significant difference in skill sets between professional boxers and MMA fighters, emphasizing that the public often views striking sports as interchangeable. This perceived gap allows Paul to present himself as a legitimate boxer by competing against individuals from other combat disciplines, thereby enhancing his appeal and potential for future lucrative fights. The episode also briefly considers other hypothetical matchups, like with Ronda Rousey, to illustrate the varied dynamics of cross-sport celebrity bouts.
The speakers discuss the financial and relevance incentives for fighters like Ben Askren to participate in such events, framing it as an opportunity for an "easy check" and continued visibility, even with the acknowledgment of potential defeat. The transcript also touches upon historical examples of inter-sport challenges and the public's interpretation of athletic capabilities across different disciplines. The episode concludes by reinforcing the idea that Jake Paul's strategy is to capitalize on the public's understanding of combat sports to build his own legitimacy and marketability within the boxing world.