JAKE Paul insists he is a professional boxer. And, whilst an exposed lack of skills recently may suggest otherwise, he sure is behaving like one.
Hand-picking opponents with zero boxing history to continue to fill his pockets with pay-per-view cash via the path of least resistance. Sound familiar?
It’s impossible to accuse the social media star of damaging the integrity of the sport when the man at the very top of the pile is doing the same, eh Tyson Fury.
TEXAS HOLD UP
Six months on from having his boxing limitations laid bare by, ironically, Fury’s younger brother Tommy, Paul reverts to type this weekend to continue his prolonged pugilistic pilfering.
The 26-year-old social media mogul likes them short, old, weak and newly retired and therefor open to one final pay day bonanza.
Nate Diaz was a perennial contender during his golden years inside the Octagon. Now approaching 40, he’s looking to make as much cash as possible before the phone stops ringing.
Despite never having a boxing match before, Paul will pay Diaz around $500,000 to simply turn up and deliver another notch on the Problem Child’s wretched resume.
This isn’t sport. It’s a business transaction.
Boxing is, to Jake Paul at least, the most fun way he’s come up with to date to make himself incredibly rich without sharing any of the pie with Google, Musk or Zuckerberg.
SKRAP PACK
Diaz, 38, was a fan favourite in MMA. During his 21-13 career he and his brother Nick would bring street violence to the Octagon with their anyone, anytime, anyplace mentality.
Durability was the Diaz Bros hallmark. They would walk down opponents, often taking their best strikes on the chin, relying on insane cardio and heart to drain the desire from foes.
Nate is best known, of course, for his March 2016 victory over Conor McGregor, after he stepped in at late notice to choke out of the two-weight champ in the second round.
YOU NEED TO SEE THIS! Nate Diaz vs. Conor McGregor. what are he chances they fight again #NateDiaz #conormacgregor #UFC pic.twitter.com/KT1PSOY5Vb
— SPORTSONSTERIODS (@towntko) August 3, 2023
Submissions are Diaz’s premier skillset, supported by the 12 tap-out victories in 21 career wins against just five knockouts. But of course, all 34 of his MMA bouts were against men of similar size and standing.
There are weight classes in organised fight sports for a reason, to protect the athletes and ensure safe and fair competition.
But clearly weight classes don’t matter in Dallas, not when there is real money to be made.
WAIT… WEIGHT?
This weekend’s fight is scheduled to take place in boxing’s cruiserweight division, so a max of 200lb on the scales. Nate Diaz has never weighed 200lb in his life.
After spending most of his career at 155lb, he competed at 170lb towards the end – which is basically his walk around weight.
Last year, Khamzat Chimaev weighed in at 178.5lb for a scheduled welterweight bout with Diaz but the UFC scrapped it due to the weight difference being unfair.
Jake Paul will be at least two stone heavier come fight night!
FAUX-BOXING
Diaz is durable as hell, but he cuts up easily. That’s what happens after two decades of taking punches, elbows and kicks to your cranium.
SECURITY GUARD BRAWL AHEAD OF THE PAUL DIAZ FIGHTpic.twitter.com/ukaPHsXpqL
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) August 3, 2023
Chances are he’ll be slick enough to avoid Paul’s overhand rights and survive the 10 scheduled rounds. But, in all honestly, this may come down to how Nate feels on the night.
He’s unpredictable and impulsive and if he feels he’s being taken advantage of inside the ring he’s more than capable of stepping out of the ropes or even fouling to force a premature stoppage to the circus.
