Anderson Silva to Face Roy Jones Jr.?
This is a weird time for MMA. Not only do we have fighters changing divisions to chase “money-fights”, we now have multiple boxing legends challenging MMA fighters. Yesterday Roy Jones Jr. sent out a challenge, and today Anderson gave his response.
This isn’t the first time the two have talked about facing each other however. In 2008, when both were champions at 185lbs in their respective sports, there had been talks of organizing a super-fight. Silva’s manager, Ed Soares, even let it be known that it would be a boxing bout, not MMA rules.
“Anderson really would love to fight Roy Jones, Jr. in a boxing match. It’s not just talk, we really would like to put that fight together…. We respect Jones’ boxing ability and think he’s one of the best … but we’re tired of different boxers saying that MMA fighters aren’t technical. Anderson would love to fight Roy Jones in a boxing match under boxing rules to prove that MMA fighters are technical, too.”
This is Anderson Silva at 41
Anderson Silva recently defeated Derek Brunson at UFC 208, though some controversy exists regarding the decision. While the decision was unanimous, many felt Silva had not done enough to earn the win.
Numerous potential fights loom on the horizon for Silva, even despite his advancing age. With Georges St. Pierre set to return to the promotion later this year, some are speculating this could be the last opportunity to book the once clamoured for super-fight between the two.
While Silva has long said he wants another shot to recapture the middleweight championship, it seems he wouldn’t be against the idea of delaying that goal in order to box with Jones Jr.
Silva Responds to Roy Jones Jr.’s Challenge
Yesterday Roy Jones Jr. tweeted out an idea that would be hard to argue with.
Roy Jones vs Anderson Silva and Mayweather vs McGregor double headline card UFC invasion. Would be biggest event of all time period
— Roy Jones Jr. (@RealRoyJonesJr) February 23, 2017
It is hard to deny that a “UFC Invasion” show featuring two boxing legends against two of the biggest names in MMA history would be monumental.
Silva issued his response earlier today:
All a dream needs to be accomplished is someone who believes that it can be done. #JonesJrVSSilva #SilvaVSJonesJr @RealRoyJonesJr
— Anderson Silva (@SpiderAnderson) February 23, 2017
Sounds like Silva is in.
The logistical hurdles of scheduling such a bout are immense however. The UFC believes they hold all promotional rights to any contracted fighter, while others believe Conor or Anderson should be free to compete in other sports despite their UFC contracts.
If UFC’s contracts are iron clad and prevent their fighters from moving to boxing, these bouts will need to happen under UFC’s umbrella or they won’t happen at all. Should either Conor or Anderson challenge the UFC on this it could result in long and expensive legal proceedings.
As a life long Martial artist and Boxer (same thing really) I say that in a boxing match an MMA fighter is no match for a boxer just as a boxer has no chance in MMA. Floyd Mayweather would utterly destroy Connor McGregor for example. IN this situation However, Roy Jones is not one IOTA of the fighter he used to be and Yes Anderson Silva has always had, not decent boxing skills but great boxing skills. SILVA by KO
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