A
previously rumored boxing match between social media
personality
Jake Paul and
former UFC middleweight champion
Anderson
Silva is now official.
Showtime Sports and Paul’s company, Most Valuable Promotions,
announced on Tuesday that the fight will take place on Oct. 29 at
Gila River Arena in Phoenix, Ariz. The bout will be contested over
eight rounds at a 187-pound catchweight. The event will air live
via pay-per-view on Showtime. The two men are expected to meet
face-to-face at consecutive media events on Sept. 12 in Los Angeles
and on Sept. 13 in Phoenix.
“Anderson ‘The Spider’ Silva is the most versatile fighter the
world has ever seen,” said Paul in a release. “Just a year ago he
outclassed boxing champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., and showed the
world why he is often referred to as the greatest fighter of all
time. Every expert, from MMA to boxing, has said Jake Paul won’t
fight Anderson Silva. They said Jake Paul is afraid of Anderson
Silva, and Jake Paul would lose to Anderson Silva. Well, to all the
non-believers – Jake Paul is fighting Anderson Silva. It’s an honor
to have the opportunity to share the ring with the greatest UFC
striker of all time. On Saturday, October 29, I will walk
humbly into the ring, touch gloves with a living legend and do my
best to exterminate ‘The Spider.’”
Paul, 25, has compiled a 5-0 mark as a professional boxer, with
notable wins over former UFC welterweight champion
Tyron
Woodley (twice) and ex-Bellator title holder
Ben Askren.
Paul had proposed fights against Tommy Fury and Hasim Rahman Jr.
fall through earlier this month.
The 47-year-old Silva has enjoyed his share of success in the Sweet
Science since parting ways with the UFC in 2020. Most notably, he
defeated Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. via split decision in June
2021. He’s also recently bested fellow former UFC champ
Tito Ortiz via
first-round stoppage and battled Bruno Azeredo to a draw in an
exhibition bout in Dubai this past May. “The Spider” owns an
official professional mark of 3-1 in boxing and is regarded by many
as the greatest MMA middleweight of all-time.
“I know that in life everything has its purpose,” Silva said.
“Nothing comes just by chance. So, I thank God for my health, my
family and my team for providing me with this opportunity to
continue doing the thing that I love the most. I believe this
will be the biggest combat event of the year and will truly make
history in the sport forever. See you on Oct. 29.”