Oscar De La Hoya thinks Nate Diaz could use better representation.
The Golden Boy Promotions founder and Hall of Fame boxer recently tweeted at Diaz, in effect extending an offer to work with the popular mixed martial arts fighter from Stockton, Calif.
Diaz, one of the most familiar faces from the UFC, finished out his contract with the well-known MMA company last September, when he defeated Tony Ferguson in the fourth round by submission at UFC 279.
Now the Californian has a unique chance to parlay his MMA celebrity into the boxing world, where there will likely be no shortage of lucrative opportunities to engage in crossover fights.
Diaz is managed by Zach Rosenfield, who recently informed MMA Junkie that his client will fight “multiple times” in 2023, including boxing. Diaz, per Rosenfield, has expressed interest in pursuing a trilogy with his UFC nemesis Conor McGregor, as well as a crossover showdown with Canelo Alvarez. Diaz himself has hinted at a stint in Rizin, the Japanese MMA league that has staged exhibition fights with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao in separate bouts.
De La Hoya took a swipe at Diaz’s handlers in a recent tweet.
"@NateDiaz209 bro if [you're] free let me take care of your future negotiations so all these fake promoters who never put a glove on in their life [can’t] take advantage of you,” De La Hoya wrote on Thursday.
Diaz is not the only former UFC star who might try his hand at boxing. Former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou is also mulling an entry into The Sweet Science. Ngannou’s fame has been linked with boxing A-listers such as WBC heavyweight titlist Tyson Fury and former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua.
Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn of Matchroom, recently revealed that he has had preliminary conversations with both Ngannou and Diaz.