.Anderson Silva’s latest boxing venture might be more than a one-off.
The former UFC middleweight campion and MMA star is open to pursuing more boxing bouts in the future following his return to the sport this summer. Silva (34-11 MMA, 1-1 boxing) is scheduled to take on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in a 10-round boxing match on June 19 at Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico. The bout serves as the main event of the “Tribute to the Kings” pay-per-view.
Silva, who made his name in the sports world competing in the biggest MMA promotion in the world – the UFC – may look to do more boxing bouts moving forward.
“Yeah, of course it’s possible,” Silva told MMA Junkie on Wednesday during a virtual media conference. “I love this sport. I love boxing. And, yeah, it’s possible. We’ll see.”
Silva campaigned for a boxing match for many years, even while under contract with the UFC. There was interest in a match with former boxing world champion Roy Jones Jr., but the bout never materialized. Silva is 1-1 as a professional boxer. He fought once in 1998 and again in 2005.
The Brazilian is still open to a bout with Jones now that he’s no longer under UFC contract. Jones recently fought Mike Tyson in a exhibition bout back in November.
“Yeah, absolutely, because I talked about fighting Mr. Roy Jones Jr. for many, many years ago when I started fighting in the UFC,” Silva said. “I think now is coming closer to this reality, and let’s go see. My focus is just for this fight now, and then let’s go see in the future.”
This will be the first time Silva competes in combat sports since his UFC release in November. The Brazilian last appeared in the octagon in October, losing to Uriah Hall by fourth-round TKO. The defeat was one of the seven losses Silva suffered in his final nine UFC appearances.
The 45-year-old sees his return to boxing as an opportunity to challenge himself and continue his martial arts journey.
“First of all, boxing is an amazing sport,” Silva explained. “I love boxing, and I practice boxing for a long time – not professionally, but I try to do my best. I continue training, and I continue challenging myself. This opportunity to fight Chavez Jr. is not about proving (anything) to anyone, it’s just to challenge myself. When I go inside to fight in the ring against Chavez Jr., I’ll do my best and stay happy and put my passion inside the ring.”
