Tag: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.

Former UFC middleweight champion and future Hall of Famer Anderson Silva may have a second career in another combat sport, boxing.  

The UFC released Silva after a knockout loss to Uriah Hall last year.  Bellator, the PFL, and One FC all made it known that they had no plans to sign Silva, leaving many wondering if he would retire. Silva instead decided to accept a boxing match against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr after initially denying rumors of the fight.

Silva discussed his upcoming boxing match against Chavez Jr. during an interview on Chael Sonnen’s Beyond the Fight. He also revealed several boxing promoters are interested in signing him. (H/T BJPenn.com)

“This is the first, but the different promoters called me and called the ICM to sign the contract to the people who hold me. But right now my focus is only on this fight. But a lot of different boxing promoters called me and called the company ICM that represents me to (fight). But right now focus is only on one fight on (June) 19th. Let’s see,” Silva said.

Silva has spoken for years about his interest in boxing, even hinting at a possible matchup against Roy Jones Jr. after his fight with Chavez Jr at 182 lbs in June. While admitting that the change in sport and Chavez Jr. are challenging, Silva believes he is up for the challenge.

“I love a challenge. I know it’s hard because Chavez Jr. has been doing boxing his entire life, but that’s a good challenge for me. I don’t need to prove anything to anybody. I do this because I love sport and I love fighting and this is my air. When you do something with your heart, you are successful. It doesn’t matter if you are win or not. So that’s why I accept the challenge for my mind and body,” Silva said. 

Do you want to see Anderson Silva fully transition to boxing and continue to fight?

Anderson Silva will not be boxing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. For now, at least.

Reports started floating Thursday that the former UFC middleweight champion would take on Chavez Jr. on the undercard of the latter’s father’s final boxing headliner on June 19.

That, however, appears to be news to the team of Silva who have since denied it (via Damon Martin).

“Despite a lot of chatter on Twitter, Anderson Silva’s management team tells me they’ve heard nothing about him boxing Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on June 19.

“Who knows if that will change but that’s the word for now.”

It’s definitely a random matchup as while Chavez Jr. has won once in his last three, he is still a former boxing champion who happens to be 10 years the junior of Silva who turns 46 next month.

If people wanted Silva to retire from mixed martial arts because of the damage he was taking, it would possibly be worse if he stepped in the ring with a younger boxer.

Hopefully, “The Spider” either continues to compete in mixed martial arts or calls it a day.

Silva departed the UFC late last year after suffering a fourth-round TKO defeat to Uriah Hall. It was his third loss in a row while it also put him at one win in his last nine outings.

What do you want to see Silva do next?