Askren's match moved to May, battles Thani in title defense

File photo
By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ben Askren's defense of his One welterweight title is now set.

The undefeated American fighter will take on another undefeated pugilist in Malaysian Agilan Thani in the co-main event of One: Dynasty of Heroes on May 26 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium as announced on Friday.

Askren, currently at 15-0 with one controversial no contest, was initially scheduled to have a match as the co-main event of One: Kings of Destiny on April 21 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay, immediately preceding the Eduard Folayang-Ev Ting headliner.

But with both Askren and Thani's camps only agreeing in terms recently, the match will now be right before the main event, the Angela Lee-Istela Nunes fight for the former's women's title.

Both Thani (7-0) and Askren have been exchanging barbs on Twitter since the former called out the latter right after his win against Jeff Huang on Feb. 10 in Kuala Lumpur.

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