Ex-UFC superstar Anderson Silva was thought to be on his way to securing his long-desired crossover megafight against boxing legend Roy Jones Jr., but now it appears the former UFC middleweight champion will take on a different boxing legend’s son instead. According to TMZ Sports, the 45-year-old signed a contract for a boxing match against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
“When I look back at my journey, I see that nothing has been in vain,” Silva said per TMZ Sports. “I am extremely happy for the opportunity to test my boxing skills with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.”
Silva’s MMA record is 34-11, and his pro boxing record is 1-1.
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‘Tribute to the Kings’ on June 19 in Mexico
The fight is scheduled for June 19 at Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the event is being promoted as a “Tribute to the Kings”.
According to The Fight Hub’s Marcos Villegas, the weight limit for the fight will be 180 pounds and the bout will be scheduled for 10 rounds.
Here’s the official promo photo for @jcchavezjr1 vs @SpiderAnderson – June 19th in Guadalajara MX. catchweight of 180lbs. 10 rounds.
While Chavez Jr. managed to capture a world title in boxing’s 160-pound middleweight division earlier in his career, the “kings” part of the promotional tagline likely references Silva and Chavez Jr.’s father, Julio Cesar Chavez Sr.
Chavez Sr., 58, will also be on the card to face Hector Camacho Jr., 42, in a boxing exhibition bout.
Chavez Sr. is widely considered by historians as one of the best fighters in history and the most accomplished boxing champion from Mexico. He won world titles in three different weight classes and was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2011.
Meanwhile, Chavez Jr. (52-5-1, 34 KOs) has enjoyed a solid professional career, but his accomplishments inside the ring have not quite been what boxing fans hoped for from the “Son of a Legend”.
In recent outings, Chavez Jr. hasn’t even lived up to his father’s expectations.
Chavez Jr. hasn’t appeared to be in his best form over recent years, but the Mexican essentially promised TMZ he would be on his way up the rankings again soon.
“I have rededicated myself to the sport that I love and I will be ready to face anyone in the light heavyweight division starting with Silva,” Chavez Jr. said per TMZ Sports. “I will be prepared to be victorious on June 19.”
Chavez is 2-2 over his last four fights.
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UFC Legend Silva Continues Fighting Career
Silva is a legend in his sport.
He was cut by the UFC after losing to Uriah Hall in November, but the fighter was adamant before and after the company decided to let him go that he wasn’t nearly finished fighting.
At his incredible peak, Silva was one of the most feared MMA fighters in history.
Still, most would probably have expected “Spider” to fight for a rival MMA promoter over moving over to boxing.
More still would have expected Silva would seek a boxing match against Jones Jr.
That especially seemed to be the case after Jones Jr. challenged Silva to a fight on Instagram.
Instead, Silva is now set to take on Chavez Jr., 35, in a fight no one saw coming but one that also seems to check all the boxes for being a surreal crossover megafight that could generate buzz for both fighters.
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Fight Revealed for Anderson Silva: ‘Extremely Happy’