The Paul Payday: Episode 8

08/07/2023

By: Jeff Yoder

Jake Paul Beats Nate Diaz by Unanimous Decision in Latest Crossover Boxing PPV Cash Grab.

The latest dance in manipulating sports fans hit the big stage Saturday night in Dallas when YouTuber Jake Paul and MMA legend Nate Diaz squared off for a pay-per-view boxing match. The 26-year-old Paul — the YouTube star with more than 20 million subscribers — beat the aging Diaz (38) by unanimous decision in another made-for-television hype trial. Paul dominated the first round and looked to finish the fight early, but Diaz stood strong. A knockdown in the fifth round added to the tally in Paul’s favor and a unanimous win on the scorecard (97-92, 98-91, 98-91). Paul is now 7-1 in his crossover boxing career against big-name, former MMA stars.

What’s Next? And Do We Care?

The sports purists, myself included, may scoff at the trajectory Paul’s on — one aimed due north at simultaneously saving and ruining boxing for the subscriber payday. Paul took his YouTube career and leveraged it into a mega-millions venture by fighting some of the biggest names in combat sports. His following is off the charts, just like his brother, Logan, and the duo continues to do anything for views. You can’t blame Jake Paul for cashing in, but you can not like him, or his gimmick that falls under our umbrella of sports.

Paul rolled up on a tank for heaven’s sake (an actual tank). After the match, he challenged Diaz to an MMA fight (opposed to boxing) for $10 million. “I’ll fight anybody,” Diaz said. Paul appears ready to transition to MMA, and that’s because his boxing PPVs are starting to flatten. Was Episode 8 the finale of Jake Paul the Boxer?

SI: Diary of a Boxing Writer in Conflict: Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz

B/R: Jake Paul & Conor McGregor Get Into Heated Twitter Exchange

Photo: Sam Hodde / Getty Images