Carl Froch was left less than impressed by a recent professionally-sanctioned boxing match of the crossover variety.
The formula of MMA stars entering the boxing space is becoming more and more popular, merging two disciplines and – more importantly for the promoters and broadcasters – fanbases.
Jake Paul has been a trendsetter of the crossover world, and following his first professional loss to Tommy Fury returned his roots of fighting ageing UFC fighters.
Most recently it was Nate Diaz. Paul, 26, beat the 38-year-old over ten rounds, knocking him down once on the way to a unanimous decision.
Speaking on Froch on Fighting, the former super-middleweight star known as ‘The Cobra’ said Diaz ‘looked drunk.’
“It was Jake Paul basically following Nate Diaz around the ring, missing with shots, landing the odd shot, looking like a bad novice, a real amateur.
I felt sorry for Nate Diaz. He looked drunk when he was in there. I don’t know if he’s been messing around or if he was drunk. I don’t want to suggest someone’s getting in the ring intoxicated on alcohol but he looked terrible.
It’s fascinating how a top MMA fighter can be so dangerous in the cage and then when they get in the boxing ring it just shows how difficult boxing is. The art of pugilism. He was slow, his accuracy wasn’t there, his distance, his timing.”
Froch and Paul have had their own back and forth in the past, with the Hall of Famer saying he was willing to entertain a fight should Paul come through Fury. He did not, and any talk stopped there.
He still doesn’t rate the American as a fighter.
“Everything was so bad and Jake Paul still went the distance with him. Jake Paul couldn’t do anything with him. He was winging away, throwing hooks landing with the inside of his gloves. I know he dropped him, but what an absolute terrible fight to watch.”
Paul has offered Diaz a fight by MMA rules, but the former UFC star isn’t currently expected to accept. The YouTuber-turned-fighter has also called out undisputed world champion, Saul ‘Canelo’ Álvarez.