Ex-boxing champ says Paul vs Diaz was ‘as big’ as Mayweather vs McGregor

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    A former boxing world champion believes Jake Paul’s clash against Nate Diaz was “as big” as Floyd Mayweather’s bout against Conor McGregor.

    Paul overcame the ex-UFC star in a dominant performance in Dallas. The ex-YouTuber did not manage to land a knockout blow, but he was awarded the win courtesy of a comfortable unanimous decision.

    It was a much-needed boost for Paul as his boxing career was severely dented when he lost to Tommy Fury in his first bout against a professional boxer.

    But while the fight was a huge occasion, former IBF welterweight world champion Shawn Porter thinks it was on the same level as Mayweather vs McGregor.

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    "This was just as big as Mayweather and McGregor," Porter said to TMZ Sport. “I've never heard anything like that before. MMA fans, man. They show up, they show out, they have a lot of fun and they are extremely loud. I was loving it."

    Many fans may raise their eyebrow at this statement, but the attendance figures at the American Airlines Center were higher than those of in comparison with McGregor vs Mayweather. Around 20,000 fans watched the bout in Dallas, in comparison to the purported 14,623 fans that watched the latter at the T-Mobile Arena in 2017.

    Do you think Jake Paul's clash against Nate Diaz was "as big" as Conor McGregor vs Floyd Mayweather? Let us know in the comments section below

    The vast majority of fans in Dallas were rooting for Diaz, as was the case during their fiery press conferences. But while he did complain about an injury he suffered close to their bout, Diaz was not making any more excuses.

    "I'm not trying to make excuses, but about a month back I was trying to stay big and I hurt my arm a little bit," Diaz told the media after the bout. "It was wearing and tearing on my right arm if I was jabbing or doing stuff. I think I should've kept on the outside and do more stuff. It's all good. There's no way I'm not going to show up for a fight for something like that, too. You've got to go regardless. No matter what."

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    Shortly after his hand was raised, Paul announced his intention to challenge Diaz to an MMA bout in the near future. “All credit to my team and I want to run it back in MMA," Paul said. "$10million PFL (Professional Fighters League), that’s the offer. Let’s run it back in MMA to make it fair.

    “I won one, now it's your chance in home territory of MMA. He’s real tough, that’s what he’s known for but tough in this sport doesn’t work.”

    • Jake Paul
    • Boxing
    • Conor Mcgregor
    • Floyd Mayweather
    • Nate Diaz
    • UFC

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