It appears one real boxer was enough for Jake Paul.
The “Problem Child” has announced he will return to the ring on August 6 (AEST) against UFC legend Nate Diaz in a 185-pound catchweight boxing fight in Dallas, Texas.
Paul (6-1) is coming off the first defeat of his young career — a split decision loss to heavyweight champion Tyson Fury’s younger brother Tommy in Saudi Arabia in February.
Fury, who is only 23 but 9-0 in his fledgling career, was the first real boxer Paul had fought after his early forays in the sport included wins against YouTuber AnEsonGib, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson and former UFC fighters Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice) and Anderson Silva.
After being outpointed against Fury he will resume fighting mixed martial artists, even though Diaz has some boxing chops after reportedly spending years training in Oakland with former world champion Andre Ward.
“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,” Paul said in a statement.
“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**king Nate. I haven’t forgotten about the slap backstage in Arizona, and on August 5, a Problem Child is going to piece up and knock out the Stockton G.”
That backstage slap came at Paul’s fight against Silva. Diaz attended to support close friend Chris Avila, who fought on the undercard, but a reported 20-man scuffle broke out when the Diaz and Paul crews bumped into each other before the main event.
“When I was in the back I saw the Diaz team and the Paul team get into it,” Ariel Helwani reported at the time.
“Big scuffle. Pushes. Got physical and drinks were thrown. Over 20 people involved.
“Almost got ugly but they broke it up and then the Diaz team weren’t seen again.”
Now Diaz, who is most famous for being the first man to defeat Conor McGregor in the UFC, will have a chance to put his hands on Paul in front of the whole world.
The California native has promised to ruin Paul’s career before heading back to the UFC, where he hasn’t fought since defeating Tony Ferguson in September last year — the final fight on his contract.
“Besides Canelo, Jake’s the biggest thing in boxing. I’m here to conquer that. I’m the king of combat sports and then I’m headed back to get my UFC belts,” said Diaz.
“I f**ked 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 opened as a betting underdog in the fight, which will take place at American Airlines Centre, the home of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks.