Jake Paul is targeting a comeback victory after his boxing bout with UFC legend Nate Diaz was confirmed on Wednesday evening.
The YouTuber-turned-boxer will return to the ring on August 5 - around six months after his narrow defeat to long-term rival and former Love Island star Tommy Fury. Paul is hoping to rebuild his reputation by putting Diaz "in a casket" later this summer.
Paul was expected to have a rematch with Fury, who is the brother of WBC heavyweight champion Tyson. Yet that event has been put on hold to allow the 26-year-old American to take on Diaz. It will be Paul's eighth professional boxing appearance.
Paul announced his upcoming bout in typical cocky fashion by taking a dig at Diaz and UFC chief Dana White. The boxer has clashed with White on a number of occasions. He even told White to 'suck his d***' after beating UFC icon Anderson Silva last October.
"August 5th we commemorate the funeral for Nathaniel Diaz as we send him in casket back to Dana," tweeted Paul to announce the scrap, which will be shown on DAZN's pay per view service. "Refreshments will be provided at the service. Black Tie Attire."
Paul's fight with Diaz will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on August 5. The bout will be contested at 185 pounds and over eight rounds with 10-ounce gloves.
Do you think Jake Paul will beat Nate Diaz? Let us know in the comments below!
It will be Paul's eighth boxing bout at professional level after beating AnEsonGib, Nate Robinson, Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley (twice) and Silva. Paul lost to Fury by split decision in Saudi Arabia in February, a fight the latter was expected to win by critics.
Diaz, meanwhile, has never boxed professionally before. He made a name for himself in UFC by taking on the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Leon Edwards and Conor McGregor. Diaz has only fought four times in UFC since his loss to McGregor in August 2016.
Age could prove a factor, as Diaz turns 38 on Sunday. "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 told DAZN to promote the fight.
"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****** 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."
Diaz added, "Besides Canelo [Saul Alvarez] he's the biggest thang in boxing [sic]. 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***** 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."
