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Nick Diaz Signs Professional Boxing Deal

P33_08_mediumIt's rare a fighter has a dimension to his skill set that foments such polarizing views. On the one hand some suggest Diaz's boxing technique is grossly overrated and relies heavily on absorbing punishment while leaving countless openings for opponents. Others suggest he deftly uses range, volume and pressure to break down opposition in boxing clinics. Whatever the truth may be (I lean slightly more towards the latter than the former), Diaz is going to put those skills to some form of a professional boxing test:

(Cambria California, August 15, 2009) - Having been one of the few boxing promoters around today to have witnessed the great Sugar Ray Robinson fight live, it is no easy feat to impress Don "War-a-Week" Chargin. This hall-of-fame promoter has been touted by his peers as possibly being the best match-maker the boxing world has ever bore witness to. This is why it is with great intrigue that at the tail end of his long, illustrious career that Chargin would actively pursue what most would consider a long-shot proposal.
 
...
 
Nick Diaz is a fighter many have proclaimed as the "Arturo Gatti" of the MMA world. His bloodbath with Japan's best 155-pounder, Takanori Gomi was a perfect example as to why many fight fans following both mixed martial arts as well as boxing have labeled him as such. This six foot tall southpaw has waged war in virtually all of the major mixed martial arts promotional firms such as Strikeforce, UFC, Pride, WEC, IFL and the now defunct EliteXC. Diaz has openly touted his desire and willingness to step into the boxing ring to take on any fighter willing to match wits, skill, and bravery with the Stockton resident.
 
Don Chargin states, "I know the signing of a mixed martial arts fighter might be considered controversial by many boxing fans across the world. When the subject of mixed martial arts versus boxing arises, it always comes down to the boxer winning a boxing match easily and vice versa for MMA. However, after having seen the replays of Diaz's fights over the course of his career, I truly believe that this kid has what it takes to really make for some very entertaining fights within boxing. While some would state that he's merely a slugger possessing a good chin and a heavy work-rate, there's something about his rythm and fighting intelligence that really caught my eye."
 
Currently signed with mixed martial arts promotional firm, Strikeforce, it has allowed Nick the leeway to attempt to become the first athlete in the history of both sports to become a dual sport champion. This is something that would never have been remotely possible had Diaz been signed due to the UFC due to Dana White's reluctance to allow his fighters to participate within boxing.
 
Chargin continues, "I think the battle between the MMA world and the boxing world has reached it's boiling point and it's time to settle this inside the ring. Out of all the MMA fighters I've seen today, Nick is the only guy that I feel would truly put up a battle. Having been around from the era of Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, and other past greats, I can tell you right now that Nick Diaz is as tough as they come. He's also one of the few MMA guys that actually regularly puts in the gym work to improve his boxing IQ and I think it shows when he fights in the cage."
I'm not sure I understand the relevancy of the UFC dig, but it's their press release to deal with I suppose.

No word yet on an opponent, although I wouldn't get your hopes up. Chargin is a member of the International Boxing Hall of Fame and currently serves as a Senior Advisor to Golden Boy Promotions, but there's an open question about what kind of boxer he can reasonably match with Diaz both from an ability and resources vantage point.

I'll just say this to the boxing fans who either yawn at the news or are chomping at the bit for the sight of a MMA fighter being laid out on the canvas after trying his hand at professional boxing. All of that's good and well, but if I were loyal first to boxing, I'd be all in favor of MMA fighters making the attempt at the sweet science. There is still uncharted territory left, namely, a high-level, the emergence of an accomplished, popular professional MMA fighter achieving similarly prestigious accolades in boxing.

That fighter's popularity from MMA could ultimately do boxing some good. How much? Not a whole lot. It's not any sort of event that will have far reaching ramifications (with the possible exception of a spectacle like Anderson Silva vs. Roy Jones, Jr.), but there's no good reason to be unwelcoming of the media attention this type of situation could bring with the right players in place. I'm not sure Diaz is that bellwether, but I'm not ready to dismiss him yet either.

The rest of the press release after the jump.

Star-divide

Riding a 5-fight win streak as well as having compiled a record of 20-7 in the octagon, Nick Diaz is ready to take the boxing world by storm as he's gunning for the top fighters in or around the super middleweight division.
 
Trainer and manager Cesar Gracie states, "Nick is just one of those guys ready and willing to fight anybody. Literally anybody. He just loves to fight. It's been one of his career goals to become a dual sport world champion and I think the world is ready to see a fight in which a top MMA guy in his prime takes on a top boxing guy in his prime. It's never been done before and I think Nick will surprise a lot of people come fight night."
 
Who would have thought that at end of such a long, roller coaster career within boxing that Don "War-a-Week" Chargin would venture into such a venture that might have some questioning his eye for talent?
 
Don states, "A lot of people have called me a lot of names over the course of my career. That doesn't bother me. It bothers me when fighters don't take their craft seriously and don't give it their all. Nick isn't one of those guys and trust me... from what I've seen, he'll give anybody in boxing a run for their money."
 
Boxing versus mixed martial arts has finally arrived.
 
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my thoughts exactly.

Diaz can sure throw a lot of punches, but he doesn’t have great head movement. I wish him luck, but wouldn’t be surprised to see him battered again.

by Phildo on Aug 13, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions  

Speaking of which, when do you think we’ll see Noons in Strikeforce?

by madiq on Aug 13, 2009 4:16 PM EDT up reply actions  

He can’t even get his MMA career on track and now he wants to bring on a second career?

He would get wrecked by anybody half decent in boxing. His boxing skills are not very good.

And I can’t imagine Strikeforce being too keen on the idea…. Losing him not only to training time, but also to recoup time after he get’s KO’d. Basically, they would be without him for over 6 months.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 13, 2009 11:31 AM EDT reply actions  

Imagine trying to promote a guy as your champion after he gets KO’d by a journeyman boxer.

by Jahbulon on Aug 13, 2009 11:39 AM EDT up reply actions  

Makes it look second rate.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 13, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions  

would anyone respect anderson silva's mma accomplistments any less

if RJJ ko’s him? I wouldn’t. I love seeing guys trying to test themselves.

by Austin Martin on Aug 13, 2009 11:44 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

You might be one of the few. It would completely make Silva look weak if he lost to an over the hill boxer.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 13, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions  

how?

"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"

by blubber_guard on Aug 13, 2009 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

I'd expect him to lose

but it would mean something…He’s not quite as good a striker as I thought he might have been. If he won then we’d say wow his boxing is sick.

by SES 84 on Aug 13, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions  

Here's my take on that.
He’s not quite as good a strikerboxer as I thought he might have been. If he won then we’d say wow his boxing is sick.

by asa on Aug 13, 2009 1:20 PM EDT up reply actions  

This is also why Zuffa requires exclusive contracts. How do you run a viable MMA company when you have a guy like Fedor who can go off and fight in Japan, and a guy like Diaz who can now box?

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 13, 2009 11:35 AM EDT reply actions  

Can all fighters stop this cross-over sport thing. It has been said by smarter people than myself that these are two totally different sports. Look at the body type of Boxing and MMA fighters. Their bodies are vastly different! Diaz will get taken apart and come back to MMA. If Chris Lytle wants to do this fine but when it is a top 10 fighterlike Nick Diaz fans deserve to see him fight MMA and NOTHING else.

by Erich Vowell on Aug 13, 2009 11:39 AM EDT reply actions  

Nick Diaz isn’t even Top 15 in any weight class right now. Maybe not even Top 20 based on his quality of wins either.

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 13, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions  

Frankly

I’m apparently the only Nick Diaz fan on the web because i’m constantly defending him. I’d love to see him box and actually test his skills in the crossover. Nick landed 300 punches in his last fight. He probably could beat a lower level boxer. He does train with olympic caliber boxers, who I’m sure would tell him if his game wasn’t up to par.

by Austin Martin on Aug 13, 2009 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

He landed 300 punches against Scott Smith, who has horrible striking, even by MMA stanards.

Against somebody with a journyman boxing pedigree (KJ Noons), he was absolutely dominated on the feet. If Noons can’t even find any success in boxing, how is Diaz going to?

Diaz would get beaten badly even by guys out of the Top 50 at Super Middleweight….

by AlwaysRelaxing on Aug 13, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions  

that's not really the point for him

I don’t think he’s looking to be the best immediately, more just get the big crossover paydays

by Austin Martin on Aug 13, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions  

how many times..

has a boxer thought “oh wow this dude has no power” and decided to take the peppering shots as an opening he can use to lead into offense, but just drowned in the flurry?

"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"

by blubber_guard on Aug 13, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

Can all fighters stop this cross-over sport thing

Always funny to read that sort of thing in the world of mixed martial arts.
It’s bound to happen. They train a lot of things so at some points they want to test some particular discipline, some do ADCC, some want to test their boxing skills.

You don't look like a Tanaka.

by spectaa on Aug 13, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

Yeah, no more grappling competitions for these guys either!

I’d love to see Diaz give boxing a shot. I don’t think he’ll be a champion or anything, but it could be fun. I would absolutely love it if he did well and forced some people (including me) to change their outlooks.

by FRANKIE on Aug 13, 2009 12:03 PM EDT up reply actions  

What other elite fighter while under contract with a major promotion has tested their particular disapline other than Fedor?

by Erich Vowell on Aug 13, 2009 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

So you’re not counting PRIDE guys and K-1, then?

by madiq on Aug 13, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions  

hughes
ortiz
machida
etc etc

"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"

by blubber_guard on Aug 13, 2009 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions  

Mixed martial artists need to concentrate on being…… mixed martial artists. This whole trend is tired.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Aug 13, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions  

god forbid

a “mixed” discipline figher

mix his shit up

"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"

by blubber_guard on Aug 13, 2009 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

The term Mixed Martial Artist is

applied to MMA dude. Not entirely getting out of MMA & trying boxing.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Aug 13, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions  

oh you are correct

"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"

by blubber_guard on Aug 13, 2009 1:28 PM EDT up reply actions  

sorry i had to end that post early

had to tell matt lindland, randy, brock, dan henderson and various others to go back to there respective disciplines

wrestling is a martial art?

but boxing isn’t?

lol…..don’t be so fickle

"he's the best punchy face man in the buisness"

by blubber_guard on Aug 13, 2009 1:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

You seem confused.

I STILL poop rainbows.

by Blackout612 on Aug 13, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions  

i wouldn't be surprised to see him successful

if he’s fighting bottom rung opponents. the difference between good boxers in mma and actual good boxers is pretty huge but at the very bottom level there are plenty of horrible boxers who don’t actually belong in the ring. diaz is seriously as slow as molasses though so i don’t know. it won’t be an accomplishment worth talking about either way though

by yngjzy on Aug 13, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions  

It's boxing.

Anyone with money behind him will be ‘successful’ for as long as the promoter can find tomato cans to go up against you and pretend to fight.

Kimbo Slice would have been heavyweight champ in boxing before anyone of talent actually faced him.

If you see Mark Coleman in person, drop $5 on the floor and watch the fun as he tries in vain to bend down and pick it up.

by Ozzz on Aug 13, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

I have never heard Diaz referred to as the Arturo Gatti of MMA. Did I miss something???

And Diaz gets destroyed by any decent boxer. Or KJ Noons.

www.knees2thehead.com
Check it out!!

by BJJDenver on Aug 13, 2009 11:51 AM EDT reply actions  

I agree.

It has always seemed to me that Diaz is comfortable boxing MMA competition because his BJJ is so tight. In the boxing ring he won’t have that safety net and he will need it. I love Nick Diaz but I don’t love the idea of him getting taken apart in the boxing ring.

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Aug 13, 2009 11:55 AM EDT up reply actions  

Maybe his wife wants to kill him?

If you see Mark Coleman in person, drop $5 on the floor and watch the fun as he tries in vain to bend down and pick it up.

by Ozzz on Aug 13, 2009 3:32 PM EDT up reply actions  

And

Somebody might want to let Diaz know they drug test in boxing also…

www.knees2thehead.com
Check it out!!

by BJJDenver on Aug 13, 2009 11:53 AM EDT reply actions  

If you want to read my thoughts about this and many other MMA related things just read comments by BJJDenver.

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Aug 13, 2009 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions   1 recs

lol!!

www.knees2thehead.com
Check it out!!

by BJJDenver on Aug 13, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions  

Does professional boxing not

test for weed or something? I would think Diaz is going to encounter the same problems he is running from now.

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Aug 13, 2009 12:05 PM EDT reply actions  

Damnit! late again on this one.

As usual. lol

Arguing on the internet is like being in the special olympics, even when you win you are still retarded.

by dnevil001 on Aug 13, 2009 12:05 PM EDT up reply actions  

I really hope Diaz gets humbled.....

His boxing skillls are good and all but only for MMA. You would think your a good boxer when you fight guys like Scott Smith who let you tag them in the head HUNDREDS of times! I think it is funny how they show a picture of Diaz fighting Gomi, cuase it that fight Diaz was totally lossing the stand-up.

by Bandaka on Aug 13, 2009 12:06 PM EDT reply actions  

I don't know if he was totally losing the stand up.

Gomi definitely hit him harder but all in all, after Gomi gassed, Nick landed more punches and slipped more punches.

"Stop smiling you are about to be punched in the face !"

by Warhand on Aug 13, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions  

Diaz's "boxing" is garbage.

His technical prowess is greatly exaggerated.

That is all.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Aug 13, 2009 12:11 PM EDT reply actions  

I agree, he is a ground specialist and he should just embrace that, not try to be something he is not. Boxing is going to kick his ass.

by Bandaka on Aug 13, 2009 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions  

Strikeforce?

I just can’t see Strikeforce continually allowing fighters(particularly their bigger names) to fight elsewhere or in boxing as being a good idea for their company. They need these guys to be on their cards as much as possible since they don’t have a lot of drawing power, especially for PPV in the future. Does anyone else feel they will have to stop this either soon or in the future?

by Meers311 on Aug 13, 2009 12:20 PM EDT reply actions  

Exactly.

After a nice KO at the hands of a boxer, how long will Diaz have to sit out before he can fight in either sport again? Assuming he can get a clean drug test to even get approved for a fight.

by Razreshat on Aug 13, 2009 12:35 PM EDT up reply actions  

His punches are powderpuff’s as is, let alone with big ass gloves on.

'He built his whole reputation as a waffle house chef. They’ve been serving him up ham and eggs with a side of canned tomatoes' - Don Frye on Fedor Emelianenko

by Well Read Idiot on Aug 13, 2009 12:30 PM EDT reply actions   1 recs

Oh god, is there an audio transcript of this post? I can’t make it more than a few words before the laughter makes me tear up to much to read.

Nick Diaz…. BOXING! HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAHAAA!

Don't believe a word I say, I don't train BJJ.
I blog at TangleBones - you should follow me on Twitter here.

by jemaleddin on Aug 13, 2009 12:57 PM EDT reply actions  

Diaz does not belong in a boxing ring

To all those who say Diaz wouldn’t do well in boxing……………you’re right.

Diaz is not very fast, doesn’t work with many angles, has average footwork that would leave him out of his element in the ring and his lunging straights that come from his upper body rather than the hip leave him open for a lot of punishment from even a journeyman orthodox boxer.

Diaz is one of my favorite MMA fighters and I want to see him fight more, just not in a boxing ring.

by cyke on Aug 13, 2009 1:00 PM EDT reply actions  

nick is “the only one who would put up a battle”?

that’s quite a stretch

by phantasma475 on Aug 13, 2009 1:11 PM EDT reply actions  

I think he meant bottle.

With a downpipe in the side.

If you see Mark Coleman in person, drop $5 on the floor and watch the fun as he tries in vain to bend down and pick it up.

by Ozzz on Aug 13, 2009 3:33 PM EDT up reply actions  

Diaz does not belong in a boxing ring

Nick Diaz trained and boxed professionally before. He has a UD win over Alfonso Rocha, a guy Andre Dirrell went the distance with in 06. To say that he doesn’t belong in a boxing ring is a bit over the top.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Aug 13, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions  

Wow

A lot of “Negative Nancys” here. Good for you Nick, MMA, triatholons, boxing…keep testing yourself man! (insert “testing” joke here)

Be a man, not a child-Phil Anselmo

by ANance on Aug 13, 2009 1:14 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

for Diaz to have any success he will have to fight at 160. Also he will have to fight a handpicked opponent. Diaz lacks the power and head movement to fight anyone ranked. It will be interesting to see if he actually tries to pursue it seriously, or just beats a can or two.

by traydawg on Aug 13, 2009 1:23 PM EDT reply actions  

Man I just saw Diaz on a Bay Area sports show before his last MMA fight and he was talking about getting his career back on line. Boy, do things change.

by 49er16 on Aug 13, 2009 2:19 PM EDT reply actions  

Diaz is going to get lit up badly by the first decent guy he takes on.

Keep firing Assholes!

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.

by Ubernoober on Aug 13, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions  

Maybe the UFC will sue for use of “the octagon”

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on Aug 13, 2009 4:52 PM EDT reply actions  

It’s not capitalized, lawsuit averted.

Keep firing Assholes!

Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.

by Ubernoober on Aug 13, 2009 5:18 PM EDT up reply actions  

Out of all the MMA fighters I’ve seen today, Nick is the only guy that I feel would truly put up a battle.

Ok that really made me laugh. You know I’ll just ignore the whole Nick Diaz as world champion in both sports silliness, or that boxing uses the same banned substance list as just too easy of a joke but are they honestly trying to convince people that Nick Diaz is the only MMA fighter that could “put up a battle” in a boxing match? Seriously out of every fighter in the sport of MMA he’s the only one? That’s just too funny.

Oh and if anyone cares someone actually put together a list of MMA fighters who have also done professional boxing on Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_mixed_martial_artists_who_did_Pro_Boxing

by who me on Aug 13, 2009 5:52 PM EDT reply actions  

put him on your card?

How could you put him on your card? You can’t be guaranteed he’ll fulfill his obligation (drug test) and show up to your fight.

Strikeforce should sue his ass.

by GreenG on Aug 13, 2009 7:32 PM EDT via mobile reply actions  

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