After cleaning out UFC’s Middleweight division, current champion Anderson Silva wants to step into the boxing ring to face Roy Jones Jr.
In an interview with MMAWeekly, Silva’s manager says, “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.”
Since mixed martial arts made its way to the main stream, the war of words between fans of the relatively unknown sport and boxing fans have ignited debate on message boards and living rooms across the country—and the world. Apparently, all the talk about MMA fighters not being as technically sound as boxers is the driving force behind Silva’s desire to step in the ring with Jones.
“We respect Jones’ boxing ability and think he’s one of the best,”Silva’s manager added, “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.”
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While many in the world of MMA—and boxing—think Silva has overstepped his boundaries, or simply lost his mind, a quick recap of his history in the UFC shows that there’s little left for Silva to do in his division.
Since arriving in the UFC in 2006, Silva has left a string of bodies behind him including, Chris Leben, Rich Franklin (twice) and former Pride champion Dan Henderson. Silva’s last loss came in January 2006 via disqualification. Prior to that, he hasn’t taken an L since 2004.
As of press time, Jones has not commented on whether or not he’d face “The Spider” in the boxing ring. However, he has praised UFC for its high level of competition, and says boxing could learn a thing or two from the sport.
“UFC is the best fighting the best and that’s what boxing has to do. If you are an ultimate fighter, you are going to fight someone who is going to fight. In UFC, if you lose to a good fighter, you lost, you still know you are good fighter, and you come back the next day and fight again. In boxing, if you lose and that’s it. You are done. I lose a few fights, they want to tell me I’m washed up and I don’t have it no more.”
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Until the ink is dry on a potential fight, we’ll be left with highlight reels of both men:
Anderson Silva:
Roy Jones Jr.:
