Nick Diaz signs with boxing promoter but will continue MMA career
August 13, 2009 | Tim | Comments 0
Nick Diaz, who failed to show for his mandated drug test by the California State Athletic Commission and was pulled off of this Saturday’s Strikeforce card, has signed with a boxing promoter in hopes of pursuing a career in professional boxing. From the press release:
(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.”
Apparently Diaz thinks there’s no drug testing in boxing. All kidding aside, it’s hard to imagine what kind of future Diaz would have in boxing. I always have thought that his hands and boxing skills were overrated and that he relied on them too much in his fights. There’s no doubt that he’s better at striking than the majority of his opponents, but I don’t think his skills are really that exceptional. I’m also not sure how they would transition into a boxing ring. I suppose that’s a question that we’ll find an answer to rather quickly, but I’m not sure what kind of competition he will face.
Diaz has fought professionally once before, winning a four round decision over Alfonso Rocha back in 2005. Former Elite XC fighter and Diaz opponent K.J. Noons has tried his hand at professional boxing, with mixed results. His record currently stands at 9-2 against mainly lower-tier competition. It should also be noted that when Diaz and Noons fought for the lightweight championship of Elite XC in late 2007, Noons knocked Diaz down with a straight right hand and the fight was eventually stopped due to cuts on Diaz’s face. Noons dominated much of the fight with superior striking and takedown defense. I would have preferred that Diaz concentrated on getting his MMA career back on track, but it appears he’s looking in other directions. There’s been no word on when Diaz will fight for Strikeforce again, or who his next boxing opponent will be. We’ll bring you that information when we get it.
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