BIG FIGHT
‘It’s possible’ – Anderson Silva could face Jake Paul after competing on the Floyd Mayweather vs. Don Moore undercard
Former UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva believes a fight between him and YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul could happen in the near future.
‘The Spider’ was supposed to face off against MMA fighter Bruno Machado in an exhibition boxing match last week in Dubai on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather vs. Don Moore.
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Unfortunately, the death of the President of the UAE forced the event to be postponed as the country entered a 40-day period of mourning, and a three-day suspension of work in all ministries and the private sector beginning last Friday, May 13.
The suspension of work is now finished, though, and Mayweather has announced that it will take tonight [May 21] instead.
Initially set to take place atop the Burj Al Arab hotel on a helipad, the venue for the show will now be Yas Island in Abu Dhabi.
The event will kick off at 10pm local time, which is 7pm in the UK.
Silva has made no secret of his desire to fight ‘The Problem Child’ and appears to have one eye on that potential match-up ahead of his third boxing match since leaving the UFC in 2020.
“It’s possible,” Silva told about a fight with Paul.
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“People need to respect the Paul brothers. Those kids are talented, and they’ve opened people’s eyes about the good and bad in combat sports. I’m preparing my body for a challenge. We’ll see what happens.”
At 47 years old, Silva feels like there are plenty of big nights ahead for him after leaving MMA and rediscovering his love of boxing.
“I made the transition from my MMA career to boxing, and I’m doing something I love,” he said.
“I am training hard every day, so I’m not surprised at my success. I’m not impressed yet, either. I have a lot more work to do.”
Since swapping the octagon for the squared circle, Silva has picked up high-profile wins over former WBC middleweight champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and fellow UFC legend Tito Ortiz.
Paul also transitioned to boxing in 2020 and has amassed a 5-0 record but is yet to face anyone with a background in the sport or striking ahead of his return to the ring in August.
It’s expected that when Paul competes on August 13, he will face Tommy Fury, although Silva will be hoping he will be able to jump the queue and get his crack at the 25-year-old internet celebrity.
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