After a rather uneventful week leading up to their anticipated boxing match on Saturday, tensions finally exploded in a wild brawl during the final press conference between Jake Paul and Nate Diaz. This 10-round cruiserweight bout headlines the main Paul vs. Diaz fight card at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. Throughout the press conference on Thursday, both fighters remained calm and composed, even during the ceremonial faceoff for a photo op. However, an exchange of words between their camps led to a brawl, reportedly resulting in multiple participants being hospitalized.
The Paul vs. Diaz fight card starts at 8 p.m. ET. Jake Paul is the favorite with odds at -380 (bet $380 to win $100), while Nate Diaz is listed at +300. The over/under for total rounds is set at 7.5, with the Over at -135. Before making any bets, check out the boxing predictions and betting advice from SportsLine analyst Peter Kahn.
Kahn is a well-connected boxing insider who is deeply involved in the sport both in and out of the ring. He manages numerous world champions and currently oversees 20 fighters through his company, Fight Game Advisors. Kahn was awarded the 2022 Boxing Writers Association of America’s Cus D’Amato Manager of the Year and inducted into the 2023 Florida Boxing Hall of Fame.
Kahn has a remarkable track record, boasting a 41-13 record on his last 54 SportsLine boxing picks, returning nearly $4,000 to $100 bettors. Those who have followed his advice have seen significant returns.
With the Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz fight approaching, Kahn has thoroughly analyzed the matchup and released his confident picks, which are available exclusively on SportsLine.
Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Preview
Leading up to Saturday’s fight, Jake Paul (6-1) has emphasized the urgency of not just winning but doing so impressively. After his loss to Fury, which critics used to argue he couldn’t compete professionally, Paul briefly considered retirement. He believes a second loss would derail his career, but a win over a well-known fighter like Diaz would put him back on track. Paul is eyeing a rematch with Fury or a bout against another established boxer if he wins.
“I’m filled with vengeance, ambition, hunger, and drive more than ever before,” Paul told the media. “I have a lot to prove, two chips on each shoulder, and it’s do-or-die for me. Truly, this fight is do-or-die.”
Nate Diaz, earlier this week, claimed he knows the “secret” to Paul’s boxing success against former MMA fighters. Although he stopped short of outright praising Paul, Diaz recognized Paul’s savvy in choosing fights against former UFC fighters such as Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, and Anderson Silva. Diaz noted that these fighters drew attention due to their name recognition but primarily came from grappling or wrestling backgrounds, with striking as a secondary skill.
Diaz and his brother Nick, both MMA icons, have trained extensively in boxing from a young age, using this advantage to dominate less-skilled opponents in the cage.
“The thing about him is he knows MMA fighters can’t box and they’re in over their heads trying to box because he worked a bunch of them over in training and fights also,” Diaz said. “The thing is, I’m in on the same secret. I’ve been in on that since I was 15. I was boxing the whole neighborhood, with every pro I could find.”
How to Make Jake Paul vs. Nate Diaz Picks
Kahn favors the Under 7.5 rounds and has also locked in two other best bets, including a strong money-line pick and a method-of-victory prop. You can find these picks exclusively on SportsLine.