YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul is set to take on former UFC star Nate Diaz in an eight-round boxing fight on August 5.
Paul is looking to bounce back after suffering his first loss to Tommy Fury via split decision in February, while Diaz is set for his first professional boxing match after refusing to re-sign with the UFC. The eight-round fight will take place at 185 pounds, with Paul and Diaz wearing 10 ounce gloves.
It will be Paul's eighth professional bout and the 'Problem Child' has vowed to knock Diaz out. "My last fight didn't end the way I wanted, but the result was the best thing that could have happened to my professional boxing aspirations," he said.
"Now, the world thinks I am vulnerable, when all I am is more focused than ever. My team wanted me to take an easy fight like KSI next, but that's not how I am built. Nate Diaz is considered one of the most bad-ass fighters of all time, but he and his team have been running their mouths for too long.
"People tell me Nate has been training with Andre Ward for years. That he has insane stamina. That he refuses to back down. Good for f***ing Nate. I haven't forgotten about the slap backstage in Arizona, and on August 5th, a Problem Child is going to piece up and knock out the Stockton G."
Paul is referencing the fact that Diaz got kicked out of his fight against Anderson Silva last year after slapping a member of his team. Diaz was attending the event to support his teammate Chris Avila, but was removed before the main event after he was involved in a backstage scuffle and appeared to strike Paul's meditation coach.
The 26-year-old called out Diaz after beating Silva by unanimous decision, but ended up facing Fury instead. The fight will mark the first time Diaz has competed outside the UFC since 2006, having last fought at UFC 279 in September when he became the first man to beat former interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson by submission.
"Besides Canelo he's the biggest thang in boxing," Diaz said of Paul. "I'm here to conquer that. I'm the King of combat sports and then I'm headed back to get my UFC belts. I f***ed up Conor for acting out and now here I am again, like a Super Hero of the Real Fight game, the King of the Real Fight game."
Diaz famously traded wins with rival Conor McGregor in 2016, with both events among the highest grossing in UFC history. The 37-year-old's Real Fight Inc., which he launched following his departure from the UFC, have partnered 50-50 with Paul's Most Valuable Promotions to stage the event.
