By: Sean Crose
Looks like Jake Paul has found his next opponent. After his scheduled pay-per-view card in August collapsed because two competitors, Tommy Fury and Hasim Rahman Jr, were unable to meet pre-fight requirements – such as weight. and might actually show up – it looks like Paul now has an enemy who will be able to answer the opening bell. Multiple outlets are now reporting that Paul will be battling former UFC legend and professional boxer Anderson Silva next month on Showtime’s pay-per-view card. If these reports prove to be true, the match is actually quite interesting.
Although he is now closer to 50 than 40 years old, Silva has proven himself to be quite skilled in the boxing ring. This probably shouldn’t be too surprising since the man actually boxed professionally for a short time before focusing his full energy on mixed martial arts. Furthermore, in his early days, Silva was nothing but a formidable fighter. Known as “Spider”, this man is known to have performed amazing feats while operating inside the octagon. There’s actually been talk, years back, about Silva facing Roy Jones in the boxing ring.
For social media influencer turned boxer Paul, he proved to be a pleasant bit of a surprise as he actually showed how much he takes boxing seriously. He trains hard, really wants to keep getting better and has a right arm that can turn on the lights. Paul’s final bout saw him pull off a striking reel knockout against another former UFC great, Tyrone Woodley. However, Paul has not yet faced a real boxer in the ring. However, if Silva doesn’t quite fit the description of a legitimate boxer if not a technically professional boxer, then he comes horribly, terribly close. Again, there’s that boxing background, along with some impressive wins in the ring.
What might make this match more similar – if it’s like an internet rumor – than a simple novelty fight is that each boxer will have something truly at stake. If Silva wins, he will successfully throw the Paul ball, which has been flying quite high lately. However, if Paul wins, it will make a rather diminished mark on Silva’s superb combat sports record. Again, this will matter to the two boxers involved. And that makes it attractive.
