Originally Posted by MMAWeekly.com

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On the heels of being pulled from this weekend's Strikeforce card after complications with obtaining a license in California arose due to not showing up for a required drug test, Nick Diaz signs a boxing contract with longtime boxing promoter Don Chargin.

Don Chargin states, "I know the signing of a mixed martial arts fighter might be considered controversial by many boxing fans across the world. When the subject of mixed martial arts versus boxing arises, it always comes down to the boxer winning a boxing match easily and vice-versa for MMA. However, after having seen the replays of Diaz's fights over the course of his career, I truly believe that this kid has what it takes to really make for some very entertaining fights within boxing. While some would state that he's merely a slugger possessing a good chin and a heavy work-rate, there's something about his rhythm and fighting intelligence that really caught my eye."

Chargin continues, "I think the battle between the MMA world and the boxing world has reached it's boiling point and it's time to settle this inside the ring. Out of all the MMA fighters I've seen today, Nick is the only guy that I feel would truly put up a battle. Having been around from the era of Sugar Ray Robinson, Rocky Marciano, and other past greats, I can tell you right now that Nick Diaz is as tough as they come. He's also one of the few MMA guys that actually regularly puts in the gym work to improve his boxing IQ and I think it shows when he fights in the cage."

Diaz' Strikeforce deal is nonexclusive, allowing him to entertain boxing. Riding a 5-fight win streak, Nick Diaz wants to try his hand at boxing and he's gunning for the top fighters in or around the super middleweight division.

Trainer and manager Cesar Gracie states, "Nick is just one of those guys ready and willing to fight anybody. Literally anybody. He just loves to fight. It's been one of his career goals to become a dual sport world champion and I think the world is ready to see a fight in which a top MMA guy in his prime takes on a top boxing guy in his prime. It's never been done before and I think Nick will surprise a lot of people come fight night."

Chargin has high hopes for his newly signed client. "A lot of people have called me a lot of names over the course of my career. That doesn't bother me. It bothers me when fighters don't take their craft seriously and don't give it their all," said Chargin. "Nick isn't one of those guys and trust me... from what I've seen, he'll give anybody in boxing a run for their money."