JAKE PAUL turned to SMOKING cigarettes in a bid to get his “lungs ready for 10 rounds” against Nate Diaz.
The YouTuber-turned prizefighter returns on August 5 in Texas against Diaz, who is making his professional debut.
But for the first time, Paul will fight over ten scheduled rounds after lobbying to have it changed from eight.
So he took a leaf out of the great Ricardo Mayorga’s book – the volatile ex-champ who smoked before and after his fights.
Paul posted a video with a cig in his mouth while training on the speed bag and captioned it: “Getting my lungs ready for 10 rounds. August 5th.”
Paul, 26, was beaten for the first time in February, losing a split-decision in Saudi Arabia to Tommy Fury, 24.
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But he snubbed a rematch to face Diaz, 38, who will be his FOURTH opponent formerly in the UFC.
Paul has wins over ex-MMA champions Ben Askren, 38, Tyron Woodley, 41, and Anderson Silva, 48.
But for the first time, he will fight over ten rounds and agreeing with Diaz to have the rules changed by the Texas commission.
Paul has twice gone the eight round distance, in victory over Woodley the first time but then for defeat to Fury.
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Meanwhile, Diaz has gone the full five-round UFC distance over 25 minutes three times.
Despite the two-round extension, Paul plans to finish the fight by the half way mark anyway.
He said: “I’m ready, it’s not going to go that long.
“I think he’s gonna be sharp for a couple of rounds but there’s nothing he can do to stop me.
“I’m faster, I’m stronger. I’m the better boxer. He’s gonna be coming forward.
“He doesn’t have head movement. He’s trying to pressure me. He’s gonna get diced up. I see it ending in four rounds or less.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
