Nate Diaz lost his boxing debut against Jake Paul due to a strategy influenced by a shoulder injury, leading to a defensive, close combat fight style that earned Paul a 10-round unanimous decision win.
Nate Diaz’s approach in his fight against Jake Paul proved unsuccessful, yet the rationale behind his performance can be explained. After falling short in his boxing debut versus Paul in Dallas on Saturday, Diaz opened up about a shoulder injury he carried into the fight. Diaz’s claim is substantiated when observing his pace and performance – the long-standing UFC star ceaselessly advanced towards Paul, maintaining his guard up and primarily fighting in proximity. After 10 intense rounds, Paul emerged victorious by an indisputable unanimous decision.
Upon addressing the media at the post-fight press conference, Diaz shed light on how the injury influenced his performance. He recalled how his coach, Richard Perez, was frustrated at him for failing to train optimally. Diaz pointed out that he should have focused on throwing punches and maintaining distance. However, a month prior to the fight, he had injured his arm while striving to maintain his weight, which made jabbing difficult. Consequently, he switched his strategy to that of a brawler, aiming to smother his opponent’s attacks by constantly fighting up close.
Diaz’s strategy ensured his competitive status throughout the fight, despite being persistently out-played by Paul, who was faster and had the advantage of professional boxing experience. A crucial moment in which Diaz lost his footing was during the fifth round, when Paul’s head shot had Diaz face-first on the floor. Although Diaz managed to counter, this instance handed Paul a near-undisputed lead on the scorecards. The boxing duel took place at 185 pounds, a considerably higher weight class than Diaz was accustomed to during his time in UFC. In retrospect, Diaz realized that he should have remained in the lighter weight category.
Diaz’s coach, Richard Perez, seated by his side during the post-fight press conference, voiced his admiration for Diaz despite his shortcomings. He conceded that Diaz’s injury had hampered him from showcasing his best performance, affecting his timing and weakening his jab. Despite these obstacles, Perez emphasized how Diaz stayed in the fight, manifesting his indomitable spirit.