DALLAS – Nate Diaz showed up to put on a show, but his taunts and other antics were not enough to pickup a win over Jake Paul.
After a heated fight week that saw tensions high between both fighter’s camps, everything came to a head in the middle of the ring at American Airlines Center. The 185-pound boxing match served as the feature bout of the boxing event, and aired live on DAZN/ESPN+ pay-per-view. When it was all said and done, Paul prevailed on the judges’ scorecards by unanimous decision with scores of 97-92, 98-91 and 98-91.
The fight began with both fighters pawing out jabs trying to find the range. Chants for Diaz rang throughout the arena in the opening seconds. Paul swung with big looping shots that initially missed, but he kept the forward pressure on Diaz. The swarm was on as Paul tagged Diaz, who did his best to back away and grab a hold of Paul to slow the momentum. Swelling was apparent over Diaz’s right eye.
Paul slowed his approach in Round 2. Midway through the round, punches were traded in close proximity. The chants for Diaz grew louder as he landed each punch. Unbothered, Paul began returning fire with hard punches. Diaz ended the round with a nice combination and a trademark Diaz taunt.
A big left hand from Paul got Diaz’s attention in the third. Regardless, Diaz kept the forward pressure on Paul, but was met with counters before he could mount offense. Diaz kept walking Paul down, but struggled to hit his mark.
WHAT A ROUND FOR JAKE 😱
Watch #PaulDiaz LIVE on DAZN PPV NOW ON https://t.co/Yb1DVnmSYA 🥊@jakepaul | @natediaz209 | @mostvpromotions | @realfightinc | @celsiusofficial | #CELSIUSLiveFit | #CELSIUSBrandPartner pic.twitter.com/SszfFhsNHX
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 6, 2023
In the fourth, Diaz did his best to make it a dog fight. He walked Paul down and did nice work in close. Paul acknowledged some of the shots by sticking his tongue out at Diaz as he backed away to reset. Diaz found more success and popped Paul’s head back as the crowd began to roar. It was Diaz’s best round yet.
Paul adjusted between rounds and began picking his shots better. After circling and looking for an opening, Paul caught Diaz with a clean left to send him to the canvas. Diaz beat the count, but when the fight resumed, Paul brought the storm. Diaz survived the danger, and began firing back in the closing seconds.
After a cruise-control Round 6, the intensity began to ramp up again in the final minute of the seventh. Diaz began peppering Paul with close, short punches, but “The Problem Child” responded with punches with more pop.
Diaz continued his dog-fight approach in Round 8, and began to mount some late momentum as he pressed forward. Clean punches found their mark in the closing seconds, prompting the crowd to rise to their feet as Paul may have been hurt.
Taunts and other mind games were on display from Diaz in Round 9, testing Paul’s composure. It was a back-and-forth round that saw both fighters have their moments, but the Dallas crowd was hanging on every positive moment from Diaz.
Diaz stalked Paul to start the final round, but Paul’s punches were sharper as he circled around the ring. Diaz shook his head at every landed punch, but Paul kept them coming. As the time wore down, Diaz threatened a guillotine choke in the clinch, but quickly released it as the referee closed in. As the final bell rang, both fighters showed respect before the official decision.
Paul received a unanimous nod from the judges as the crowd booed Paul’s celebration.
What's next for both @jakepaul & @NateDiaz209? 👀#PaulDiaz @mostvpromotions | @realfightinc | @celsiusofficial | #CELSIUSLiveFit | #CELSIUSBrandPartner pic.twitter.com/vOQDREtd7y
— DAZN Boxing (@DAZNBoxing) August 6, 2023
During his post-fight interview, Paul offered to run it back with Diaz, but in MMA. Diaz seemed up for the offer, but time will tell if it comes to fruition in the future.
Paul rebounds from the first boxing loss of his career to Tommy Fury, while Diaz walks away with a loss in his pro boxing debut.
For more on the matchup, visit MMA Junkie’s hub for Paul vs. Diaz.
