Nick Diaz to try professional boxing again

  • Wanna Join? New users you can now register lightning fast using your Facebook or Twitter accounts.
Shogun Locc

Shogun Locc

Sicc OG
#1
Feb 7, 2006
13,049
2
0
40
#1
MMA veteran Nick Diaz will apparently dabble in professional boxing again.

Longtime promoter, matchmaker and manager Don Chagrin today announced he has signed the 26-year-old southpaw and that Diaz has received permission from Strikeforce to compete in both sports.

No date or opponent were determined for Diaz, who was recently scratched from this weekend's Strikeforce card and a title fight with Jay Hieron after skipping a mandatory drug test.

Diaz, an admitted marijuana user who holds a medical marijuana card, was ultimately replaced by Jesse Taylor, who now fights Hieron in a non-title fight Saturday at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, Calif.

Chagrin admits the signing of Diaz may be controversial, but only because of the whole "MMA vs. boxing" debate.

"I know the signing of a mixed-martial-arts fighter might be considered controversial by many boxing fans across the world," Chagrin stated in today's release. "When the subject of mixed martial arts vs. 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 [rhythm] and fighting intelligence that really caught my eye."

Diaz boxed once professionally, more than four years ago, when he picked up a four-round unanimous-decision victory over Alfonso Rocha (now 7-4, though his pro debut came against Diaz).

Although known for a slick ground game developed with trainer Cesar Gracie, Diaz also possesses solid stand-up skills. He's used those skills often during his current five-fight win streak, which includes recent wins over Frank Shamrock and striker Scott Smith under the Strikeforce banner. And he's recently worked with notables such as former WBA and WBC world champion Luisito Espinosa and Olympic Boxing Gold Medalist Andre Ward.

Gracie said Diaz, who over the weekend lost a title shot at this Saturday's Showtime-televised Strikeforce event, eventually wants to be a two-sport champion.

"Nick is just one of those guys ready and willing to fight anybody," Gracie stated. "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."
 
F

f31roger

Sicc OG
#10
Jul 29, 2008
3,400
1
0
74
#10
naner12 said:
Your opinion is correct. That's not saying Diaz won't be able to beat some local guys in 4 rounders but throwing 8 body hooks in a row with both hands and not guarding your face isn't gonna fly in boxing.
Click to expand...
I've learned that in "MMA Boxing", you learn "bad habits".. not nec really bad, but adjusted for MMA. Those adjustments are openings in boxing. In MMA, you have to protect you body just for the fact that the takedown can follow a few punches. Shawn Sherk uses this alot.. he gets his penetrating step in and after a jab and a cross, he goes for a double leg.

I also think that condition for boxing (alot of upperbody) is more than what MMA fighters concentrate on (In general). In boxing, your always working on head movement and punches. In MMA (which I always say is more rounded) you work boxing, but you work wrestling, you work take down defense, you work submissions.... so you're more stretched out in other techniques instead of a concentrated group.

That's just my opinion on my training between boxing and mma.

As for Diaz goes as well as strong MMA boxers.. just a lil adjustment and more conditioning towards boxing and they can make a good transition.

Ever Watch WCL (chuck norris program). It was mainly geared towards stand up martial arts.. but they had a couple of golden gloves on there.
 
Shogun Locc

Shogun Locc

Sicc OG
#12
Feb 7, 2006
13,049
2
0
40
#12
Scott Coker: Nick Diaz vs. Jay Hieron Strikeforce title fight could happen by year's end

Although skipping a mandatory drug test cost the fighter a welterweight title shot and a spot on this past Saturday's "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" card, Nick Diaz could still get a shot at the belt by year's end.

That's according to Strikeforce CEO and co-founder Scott Coker, who discussed the Diaz situation following Saturday's Showtime-broadcast event.

If and when licensed by the California State Athletic Commission, Diaz (20-7) is expected to fight for the title against his originally scheduled opponent, Jay Hieron (18-4).

Just a week before Hieron, who said he recently signed his deal with Strikeforce (and turned down an offer from the UFC) largely because of the promised title fight, was set to meet Diaz, who skipped a mandatory drug test and was knocked off the card. Hieron went from a fighting for the title on the televised main card to a meeting with Jesse Taylor, who took the fight on just a week's notice, on the un-aired preliminary card.

The move cost Hieron sponsor money and valuable exposure.

"It was stressful," Hieron said after his unanimous-decision win over Taylor. "I was lying to myself saying it's doesn't bother me.

"Of course, that was a deciding factor for me to go with Strikeforce – for Nick Diaz and the title fight. But that didn't happen."

But it could.

According to Coker, Diaz and his manager, Cesar Gracie, are already planning to meet with the California State Athletic Commission to resolve the situation.

"We had a conversation with Cesar Gracie about the Nick Diaz situation, so I feel very comfortable Nick will be back shortly," Coker said. "I think he's going to meet with the athletic commission, get that all worked out, and hopefully we'll see Nick back here before the end of the year."

Will Diaz be punished by the organization and lose his shot at the belt? Or is the Diaz vs. Hieron title fight still the plan?

"Jay Hieron came here to fight Nick Diaz, so we will put that fight together," Coker said.

While Coker never criticized the fighter and was quick to remind reporters that Diaz is trying to rectify the situation, the fight executive did have to remind Diaz just how costly his decision was and how future lapses in judgment could affect the organization.

"Basically, I expressed my concerns and our feelings, and the feelings of Showtime, saying, 'Look, when we're promoting a main event, you have certain responsibilities to do your part because we're going to do out part," he said. "He's going to sit down with (CSAC executive) Bill Douglas and the commissioner and work something out. ... Once he's licensed and cleared – he's not even under suspension; he just never showed up for his licensing. He's not licensed yet. When he's licensed, we'll plan to fight him after his license (is given).

"[Diaz] apologized. He said, 'I'm really sorry.' He's actually a good kid."

Hieron, a former UFC, IFL and Affliction fighter, has now won six consecutive fights and eight of his past nine to garner worldwide top-10 consideration in his weight class. Diaz, a former lightweight who's hopped around the weight classes and even took a catch-weight fight with middleweight Frank Shamrock earlier this year, owns a five-fight win streak and is 9-1 since May 2006.

"I think that's a great, exciting fight," Hieron said of Diaz. "That's the fight I want. I know the fans probably want to see it, so hopefully they make that happen."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom