Silva wants to box Jones, Jr.

[UPINTHEMGUTS]

Representatives of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. have confirmed that they are actively engaging in talks for a future boxing match.

The news comes from our friend Mike Chiappetta at NBCSports.com.

Although the potential fight has been rumored since UFC 82 earlier this month, the report says that negotiations are now in the preliminary stage and that both Silva and Jones are pushing for it.

NBCSports.com, which first reported the possible boxing match during an interview with Silva prior to UFC 82, has also learned that the fight will be an official boxing match—not an exhibition—and that it would likely take place at a catchweight between 170 and 185 lbs.

There would be a few hurdles, of course. The UFC would have to sign off on the fight, and Silva would have to get a license from the hosting state’s athletic commission. Silva and Jones would also have to agree on a split of the revenue.

However, NBCSports.com quoted Alan Hopper, director of public relations for Don King Productions, as saying the talks are ongoing and that Jones is interested in the fight.

No date or possible venue for the event has been decided. However, it would almost assuredly air on pay-per-view.

Silva, a 32-year-old who joined the UFC in late 2006, is a career 21-4 (including 6-0 in the UFC). After defeating Rich Franklin for the title at UFC 64, he’s made three successful title defenses (and also has a win over Travis Lutter in a non-title fight). Silva, widely regarded as one of the sport’s top strikers, has a seven-fight win streak with all seven victories coming via stoppage. He’s 1-1 as a professional boxer, according to BoxRec.com.

Jones, 39, owns a career boxing mark of 52-4 with 38 knockouts, though his past five wins have come via decision. He won titles in the middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight classes before defeating John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight championship in 2003. He was named the Boxing Writers Association of America’s “Fighter of the Decade” for the 1990s, and he held the WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO, NBA, WBF, and IBA light heavyweight championships at the same time.
UFC president Dana White, who would need to approve the fight, has yet to comment on the matter.

Wow. What a boxing resume that is....

[BDsauce]

The fight will never happen and IF it does.....Silva would get himself DQ'd after being potshot to death by Jones.

[BEAST 8692]

this fight is obviously about money but silva is full of shit about the credibility thing. plenty of hasbeen boxers (although not anywhere close to roy's calibre) have been owned in the mma. mainly because mma is where you go when your boxing career is over.

takes a lot of heat and desire to be a top flight contender in mma. you don't just go there because you can't box anymore and no longer want to fight, as ray mercer found out.