Pro boxer not impressed with Nate Diaz after sparring session
Former lightweight title contender Nate Diaz is considered to have some of the best cardio in the UFC.
But after a recent sparring session in preparation for his pro boxing debut against Jake Paul on Aug. 5 in Dallas, Texas, Diaz’s stamina was called into question by undefeated pro boxer Esquiva Falcao, an Olympic silver medalist with a 30-0 record, including 20 wins by knockout or TKO.
“At first I thought he was tired,” Falcao said, via MMA Fighting. “In the end it looked like he was dying. His fighting style is crazy. You look at him and say, ‘Oh, he’s tired,’ and then we started sparring. [Coach] Robert [Garcia] told me in the second round, ‘He’s tired already, hold back a little bit and keep the rhythm so he does at least 10 rounds.’ I held back and kept boxing and we did 12 rounds."
Diaz, who has a 21-13 MMA record with five wins via knockout or TKO, has a boxing background.
He works with noted boxing instructor Richard Perez, and he’s trained with former pro boxers including former Olympian and WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion Andre Ward (32-0) and ex-IBF super welterweight champion Rodney Jones (37-4-1).
Diaz’s fight with Paul was originally scheduled for eight rounds, but it was changed to 10 at the Stockton native’s request.
Falcao suggested Diaz got winded quickly due to the extra weight he’s been carrying since leaving the UFC. Diaz has bounced between lightweight (155 pounds) and welterweight (170 pounds) during his MMA career, but he’s reportedly walking around at upward of 200 pounds.
“He was tired, but taking punches and throwing too,” Falcao added. “[Diaz] is bad, but since he’s too heavy — he’s overweight, probably around 220 pounds or more — and I’m the only big guy in the gym, I had to do it. But I liked doing it.”
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