Anderson Silva Speaks Out After Being Granted Boxing License To ...

Anderson Silva speaks out after being granted boxing license to fight Jake Paul

Former UFC middleweight champion Silva is expected to be announced as Paul's next opponent after the YouTuber saw two previous fights fall through

CommentsSportMartin Domin Fighting Editor15:00, 03 Sep 2022

Anderson Silva has received his boxing license ahead of the announcement of his fight with Jake Paul.

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The UFC legend is expected to take on the YouTube star in Phoenix on October 29 with official confirmation expected on Tuesday. And Silva, who has a record of 2-0 in professional boxing, was granted his license in Arizona on Friday afternoon.

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In rubber-stamping the application, the Arizona commissioner said: "Congratulations, Mr. Silva. We’re looking forward to what's to come." And the fighter replied: "I’m training hard every day. I’m keeping my mind busy and healthy. I’m so excited."

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Silva, 47, is widely considered to be one of the greatest fighters in history and enjoyed a storied reign as the UFC middleweight champion. Since leaving the promotion, he has won a split-decision over former boxing world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr before knocking out fellow UFC legend Tito Ortiz.

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Paul has received criticism for the level of his opponents since he turned professional in 2020. He took on fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib and former NBA star Nate Robinson before turning his attention to the MMA world as he beat Ben Askren and Tyron Woodley.

But the 25-year-old twice scheduled a fight with Tommy Fury, brother of heavyweight world champion Tyson, only to see the bout cancelled on both occasions. Last December, Fury suffered a broken rib in training and earlier this year he was unable to travel to America for a press conference and was forced to pull out of the fight.

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Paul replaced him with Hasim Rahman Jr, son of the former heavyweight world champion, but the fight was cancelled a week before the first bell over a row about the weight limit. Rahman Jr insisted he could make a revised weight limit but Paul opted to cancel the whole fight card.

The YouTuber has also set his sights on a clash with long-term rival KSI who returned to the ring last weekend to stop first rapper Swarmz and then professional boxer Luis Pineda. The bitter rivals had previously verbally agreed to meet at Wembley next year in the biggest influencer boxing fight to date.

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