Jake Paul suffered his first career loss to Tommy Fury on February 26. A provision for a rematch exists for Paul to trigger. But he surprised everyone when the announcement came in April about the bout with Nate Diaz. The upcoming contest at the American Airlines Center might have far-reaching ramifications for the American’s career. Understandably, he isn’t taking any chances as he stares at the fight night four days away.
It’s an irony. For a man who many, including seasoned boxers, credit for jolting the sport, the watershed moment came early this year. He finally met a fighter, even if one with an imperceptible record. Though Jake Paul knocked down Tommy Fury in the final round, it was too little, too late. The scion of the Fury clan, Tyson Fury‘s half-brother, convinced the judges to award the match in his favor.
Jake Paul, at his last-ditch effort
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So during the pre-fight press conference in Dallas, Texas, Ariel Helwani wanted to know from Jake Paul whether he was under tremendous pressure after the February loss. So that he could shut down all the naysayers who questioned his presence as a legitimate boxer. Paul replied, “… Um, I have a lot to prove, two chips on each shoulder, and it’s Do or Die. For me, truly, this fight is do or die. I have to leave it all on the line, and I think that’s the same for Nate Diaz.”
Helwani probed further to see whether Paul implied that he considered it game over if he lost the fight. The latter said, “In my mind, that’s how I’m treating it….” Considering how the result might be interpreted, Jake Paul will not leave any stone unturned. So yesterday evening, he tweeted, “Fight week. I’m going in there to kill or be killed. ”
Fight week. I’m going in there to kill or be killed. #PaulDiaz
— Jake Paul (@jakepaul) July 31, 2023
A successful YouTube content creator, Paul began his boxing journey in 2018. Since then, he has had a hugely successful streak of victories. But as it usually happens, he consistently faced a barrage of questions. The most pertinent was the choice of fighters he faced.
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A walk through the ‘Problem Child’s’ past opponents
Until he met Tommy Fury, the Cleveland, Ohio-born internet sensation had fought opponents who, like him, never came from pedigreed boxing backgrounds. His opponent, AnEsonGib, is a YouTuber like him. Paul’s next opponent turned out to be professional basketball player Nate Robinson. Then, from 2021 until October last year, he fought mixed martial artists, such as Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva, primarily former UFC fighters. Thus, it was high time he faced a full-blooded boxer to establish his credentials as a serious boxer.
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Who will be your pick to win on August 5 between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz? Please share your thoughts and views with us in the comments below.
Watch This Story: Leaked footage of Nate Diaz sparring ahead of his fight against Jake Paul leaves fans worried for the ex-UFC star