Jake Paul is taking a page out of cantankerous counterpart Nate Diaz’s playbook by engaging in brash trash talk ahead of their August 5 fight at the American Airlines Center in Dallas on DAZN pay-per-view. 

“I think [Diaz] is underestimating me. I don't think he is ready for what I am about to bring to the table,” Paul said in an interview with BoxingScene.com and other reporters. 

“He's dealing with a more motivated fighter than I ever have been. I'm going to go in there and f--- this dude up. I'm pissed off. Especially because everybody says he's this tough guy, Stockton gangster, all this sh!t, and then he gets in person and is complimenting me and being respectful and doesn't really have sh!t to say.”

Paul (6-1, 4 KOs) was especially perturbed that Diaz (22-13 MMA, 13 Submission, 5 KOs, 4 Decisions) didn’t bring his A-game during their kickoff press conference.

“I'm just pissed off that he didn't bring anything to the table,” Paul continued. “I thought this was going to be a fight where I didn't have to do all of the selling and I would have an opponent who would bring something to the table.”

Paul and Diaz have turned their made-for-tabloids beef into a lucrative fight that will unfold over 10 rounds using 10-ounce gloves at a 185-pound catchweight. 

Diaz has been a fighting staple and fan favorite since turning pro in MMA in 2004 and making his UFC debut in 2007, beating the likes of Conor McGregor, Tony Ferguson, and Anthony Pettis along the way. 

Diaz will be making his pro boxing debut at the age of 38. 

“Now was the time to strike to make this fight happen,” said Paul. 

“This pay-per-view will be massive. The biggest one yet. Nate Diaz is bringing something to the table as far as his name and notoriety. He's accomplished PPV buys that none of my opponents have brought to the table. I have a dance partner now that maybe even more fight fans than me. That to me is exciting. This is definitely going to be the biggest fight I've ever done. 

“Maybe once I knock Nate out, then he will fight me in mixed martial arts in the Professional Fighters League.” 

Manouk Akopyan is a sports journalist, writer, and broadcast reporter. He’s also a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America and the MMA Journalists Association. He can be reached on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube at @ManoukAkopyan, through email at manouk[dot]akopyan[at]gmail.com, or via www.ManoukAkopyan.com.