In February 2023, Jake Paul lost the first boxing bout of his career against Tommy Fury. Known for facing MMA fighters and retired basketball stars, Paul fought a legitimate boxer and lost via split decision. Many detractors expected him to disappear following that fight, saying his aura, if he had one, was gone.
Well, “The Problem Child” returns to the ring on August 5 to face former MMA fighter and boxing debutant Nate Diaz at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. The 10-round catchweight bout, plus undercard action, will air on DAZN and ESPN+ PPV.
Now signed to the Professional Fighters League, Paul hopes to face Diaz in an MMA bout in the future and offered his rival $10 million to do it. While Diaz may be interested in returning to the UFC, he was non-committal.
Known as a durable fighter, Diaz only has five wins via knockout inside the cage.
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Per Caesars, Jake Paul is the -380 favorite, while Nate Diaz is the +300 underdog. The vast majority of fans expect Paul to win, but what if he doesn't? If Diaz beats Paul, will the latter continue his boxing career or will he fade into obscurity?
Will Jake Paul retire following Nate Diaz fight?
Paul is looking to compete in a rematch with Fury and has teased a fight against rival KSI. But if he loses against Diaz, going 0-2 in his last two, how much will that affect things?
Per Most Valuable Promotions co-founder Nakisa Bidarian, a loss would be devastating for Paul’s career.
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"He may retire if he loses to Nate Diaz," Bidarian told ESPN. "His boxing career is on the line, in terms of being one of the top three or four guys in the entire sport globally. I think if he was to lose, he'd just go to being another prospect that's coming up in the ring.”
Paul has not indicated that this could be his final fight. Along with KSI and Fury, Paul's also mentioned facing Conor McGregor, a Diaz rival, if he manages to defeat the Stockton native.