Jones Jr. accepts Silva's challenge

way26 · 03-19-2008

Jones Accepts Silva’s Challenge - MMA on Tap

Quote:

Immediately after his win over Dan Henderson earlier this month, Anderson Silva mentioned that he is interested in entering the professional boxing ranks, namely to take on former pound-for-pound phenom Roy Jones Jr.

The idea has since been repeated, both by Silva himself and his manager, Ed Soares. That idea may soon become a reality as Jones Jr. himself has reportedly expressed interest in fighting Silva at some point in the near future according to MMA Weekly.

“I just spoke with Roy Jones’ management and they are very interested in it,” Soares told Ken Pishna. “They think it would break all kinds of pay-per-view records. It all kind of started as a dream of Anderson’s, but if the UFC would back it, it is something that we really would like to pursue.”

Soares also went on to say that Jones believes a potential fight against his client will help mend the relationship between boxing and mixed martial arts.

“They think it will actually bring together the boxing and MMA communities,” said Soares. “Anderson looks up to Roy Jones, and he would love to test his skills against him. At the same time, we are very loyal to the UFC and would love to represent the UFC in a boxing match with Jones.”

While the a potential roadblock courtesy of the UFC looms ahead, one would automatically assume that Dana White and the UFC’s infamous exclusive contracts would prevent Silva from stepping anywhere near a ring.

However Jones Jr. is historically stubborn himself, usually only fighting on his terms and when he feels like it these days. Trust me, I know from experience.

Then again, everybody has a price. White’s past association with boxing is strong enough to at least make him consider things. If White and Don King (who I believe has the promotional rights to Jones but I could be mistaken) could strike a deal where both sides could come out of the proceedings better than ever, we could be witnessing history in the making shortly.

It would be an historic event. One of the best ever in one sport going up against a potential all-time great in another. Boxing vs MMA. It’d be huge.

I already don't like the fact that they're billing this fight as "Boxing vs MMA". When really its "boxer vs mma striker in a boxing match". If this fight does in fact happen (which I kind of doubt it will), I'm really curious to see how it will play out.

I haven't seen Silva just straight up box before, and while I don't think he will beat Roy Jones by any means, he may hold his own well. I think just taking it into the later rounds, or to a decision would be a "victory" for Silva, as Roy Jones Jr. is one of the best boxers of all time.

Thoughts?

JamesBambridge · 04-21-2008

i would like to see this but dont make a big deal out of the whole boxing vs mma stuff just let them go at it would be a great spectacle but i hope that calzaghe fights jones jr. first.

way26 · 04-21-2008

Well, this is an old post and Dana White has sinse put the kabosh on this whole thing. Anderson has made it pretty clear that he wants to make this fight happen, but it probably won't be while he is under a UFC contract.

paq13 · 04-24-2008

I think it should be in a cage and be an MMA fight. One thing i dislike about roy jones jr is that he proclaims himself to be the best pound for pound fighter alive...

and i just don't think boxing shows that off as much as mma. i mean, could you imagine silva just getting in, snapping, and kneeing jr in the jaw..

that would be sweet.

either way, i'd like to see the fight, but i don't think it would be fair to silva, by any means.

jackxj220 · 04-24-2008

I wouldnt get any hopes up about this fight, jones would be stupid to accept, jones is expected to win,
so if he wins no one will be impressed and everyone knows silva would fuck im up in a mma fight,
if he looses he looks like a twat, a pro boxer gettin beat in a ring by an mma fighter.
i just cant see whats in it for jones except money,
plus most boxing fans dont even know who anderson silva is so it would be in more interest to the mma fans.