'He Wasn’t Going Down' - Says Paul After Paul vs Diaz Showdown
In a dramatic Paul vs Diaz showdown, Paul had boldly predicted a fifth-round knockout victory over his experienced opponent. As the fight progressed, it seemed like Paul's prediction might come true when he caught Diaz with a powerful temple shot, causing him to drop in the fifth round. Diaz was clearly hurt, and Paul saw an opportunity to finish the fight early. However, he decided to be cautious and conserve his energy to avoid overextending himself and potentially gassing out later in the match. Despite the knockdown and the pressure he applied, Diaz displayed incredible resilience and weathered the storm. The Paul vs Diaz fight continued for ten rounds, and when the final bell rang, Paul emerged as the winner, securing a unanimous decision victory. Reflecting on the bout, Paul explained that his motor was running hot during the fifth round as he delivered a series of hard punches to Diaz. However, Diaz remained on his feet, demonstrating his toughness and determination. Paul didn't want to risk burning out and giving Diaz an opportunity to turn the fight around, so he opted for a more patient approach while still seeking the knockout.
“My motor was running hot and I was punching him hard and hard and hard, and he wasn’t going down. He was standing there. So I didn’t want to burn out and let him catch a win and come back with something. So I was being patient, being smart, and was looking for the kill. But at the end of the day, he withstood a bunch of big, big, big punches. "I don’t know how he survived the first round, but he’s a dog and I walked the dog. For sure [he could feel my power], I could see it the whole fight. In the first round, I seen his eyes light up and he was like, ‘OK, they talk about this kid’s power, but when you feel it, it’s different.”According to Paul, Diaz could certainly feel his power throughout the Paul vs Diaz fight, especially in the first round when his punches seemed to surprise the MMA veteran. Diaz's trademark antics and trash-talking were also on full display during the match, adding an extra layer of excitement and intensity to the encounter. The two fighters engaged in verbal exchanges throughout the Paul vs Diaz bout, creating an electric atmosphere inside the ring. Paul recalled how they communicated with each other during the fight, with Diaz delivering words that were not fit for repetition. Despite the heated exchanges, Paul found the experience enjoyable and mentioned that it was one of his most memorable fights yet.
“We were talking to each other the whole fight. He was saying words that I can’t repeat, but I was like, ‘Where’s all that talk now? Gotcha! Shut up!’ It was fun. “When you’re in there with another dog, you can sense it and it just makes the sport more fun. This fight was probably the most memorable yet.”The Paul vs Diaz clash showcased the passion and intensity that both fighters brought to the ring. For Paul, the victory over an MMA veteran like Diaz served as a significant accomplishment in his burgeoning boxing career. The fight provided thrilling moments and a glimpse of the potential for future matchups that could further elevate the sport's popularity.
