Jake Paul defends performance against Nate Diaz after "sloppy" criticism
Jake Paul has insisted that Nate Diaz's unconventional boxing style made him unable to show off all his skills in their fight.
YouTube boxer Paul returned to winning ways earlier this month as he beat UFC legend Diaz to pick up his first win since losing to Tommy Fury in February. The fight was one-sided as Paul had a fast start before putting Diaz down in the fifth round with a left hook. Diaz was able to recover and come on strong in the later rounds, but Paul walked away with the unanimous decision win.
'The Problem Child' has since been slammed for his performance by the likes of Eddie Hearn and YouTube rival KSI, who believes his shot selection on the night was poor. Paul has responded to criticisms about his win by blaming Diaz for being an awkward boxer to face.
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"If you're going in there against a really sharp boxer with a high level of thinking and boxing IQ, it turns into this chess match. Both people look really sharp and composed, it looks more like art because of the fancier technique. When you're in there with a dog and you're punching the s*** out of him, he's not going down and keeps coming forward. It turns into a brawl and who wants it more," Paul said on his B/S podcast.
Jake Paul calls on John Fury to make retirement bet for fight with son Tommy"Who is punching harder and who is throwing more punches? It's gonna be sloppy against an unorthodox MMA fighter. I think the people who really see it can tell my left hook has developed, it's my first time dropping an opponent with a left hook. Highest punch count, balance, footwork, speed, body shots and combinations. Moving on the outside with more feints and not slowing down the whole time."
Paul wants to rematch Diaz in MMA as he put a $10million offer on the table for his rival to fight in the PFL. Paul is also open to avenging his loss to Fury and insisted his end goal in boxing is to become a world champion by fighting Canelo Alvarez. Paul scoffed at people giving him advice after his fight against Diaz by quoting the late Roger Mayweather.
"It's funny because people think they know about boxing. Someone messaged me saying 'Yo, why weren't you throwing the overhand right?'. Guys, come on now. If his hands are up, where is the overhand right going to land guys? Welcome to the first guard, that's going to get blocked. So what's open, it's the body."