Jake Paul squared off against former UFC combatant Nate Diaz in a cruiserweight bout that had the boxing world tuned in. Set in the bustling American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, the two fighters showcased a blend of power and endurance over ten rounds.
Though Diaz was able to maintain resilience, a robust left hand from Paul in the fifth round sent him to the canvas. Despite Diaz's consistent flurry of light taps during the latter half, Paul's punches landed with more force and intent. Diaz's performance, characterized by slapping punches, slow hand speed, and frequent clinching, indicated a potential under-preparation for the bout. Ultimately, Paul emerged victorious in a unanimous decision with scores of 97-92, 98-91, and 98-91.
Official fight highlights: Watch on Youtube
In the co-main event, unified female featherweight champion Amanda Serrano (45-2-1, 30 KOs) took on Heather Hardy (24-2, 4 KOs) in a rematch that seemed to further prove the former’s dominance. Serrano outclassed the 41-year-old Hardy throughout the fight, leading to a bloodied and beaten Hardy by the final bell. While it appeared Serrano could’ve ended the bout sooner, she instead delivered a calculated performance resulting in a unanimous decision victory with scores of 99-91, 100-90, and 100-90.
Official fight highlights: Watch on Youtube
The undercard also delivered its share of excitement. Chris Avila (4-1, 0 KOs) showcased superior skills against Jeremy Stephens (0-1-1) over six rounds, winning by unanimous decision. Meanwhile, the 19-year-old Ashton “H2O” Sylve (10-0, 9 KOs) solidified his reputation as a rising knockout artist by taking down William Silva (30-5, 18 KOs) with a fourth-round knockout. The card also featured impressive performances by Shadasia Green (13-0, 11 KOs) and Alan Sanchez (23-5-1, 10 KOs), both securing unanimous decisions in their respective bouts.
Image Credit: DAZN