Roy Jones Jr interested in fighting Silva

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/templates/dailynews.asp?articleid=5880&zoneid=13

Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight titleholder Anderson Silva recently indicated that he would like to challenge Roy Jones, Jr. – once regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound boxers in the world – to a boxing match.

“Anderson really would love to fight Roy Jones, Jr. in a boxing match,†said Ed Soares, Silva’s manager. “It’s not just talk, we really would like to put that fight together.

“We respect Jones’ boxing ability and think he’s one of the best, but we’re tired of different boxers saying that MMA fighters aren’t technical. Anderson would love to fight Roy Jones in a boxing match under boxing rules to prove that MMA fighters are technical, too.â€

It now appears that what started out as a dream bout may actually have some merit to it.

Even nationally syndicated sports talk host Jim Rome, on his Rome Is Burning television show on ESPN2, has picked up on the story. He isn’t a big proponent of the bout happening though, saying, “Silva should not box Roy Jones. Where’s the intrigue in that? The whole ‘would MMA beat boxing’ argument is a big waste of time; it’s irrelevant. Silva, the best MMAer in the world would get schooled, even by a way past his prime Roy Jones, if he ever did boxing. He can’t fight his way off the ropes with his knees, just as Jones wouldn’t last a minute with Silva in his cage.â€

According to Soares, however, there are other people who think there might be some merit to putting Silva up against Jones in a boxing ring.

“I just spoke with Roy Jones’ management and they are very interested in it. 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.â€

Jones’ management indicated that this could be a fight that would bring together the fractured factions of boxing and mixed martial arts. “They think it will actually bring together the boxing and MMA communities,†said Soares.

And that would have to be a big part of it, as he continued, “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.â€

UFC president Dana White has been vocal in the past about a boxer stepping into MMA to challenge his fighters. Prior to his fight with Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. commented, “(the UFC) ain’t nothing but a fad… These are guys that couldn’t do boxing.†White fired back offering up then lightweight champion Sean Sherk in the Octagon as a proving ground for Mayweather, who then retracted much of what he said.

It is unclear, however, if White is willing to put up Silva in a boxing match, as he was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

Jones is currently headed out of the country until next week, but his management told Soares that he was “flattered and excited†by Silva’s interest in a boxing match with him. The parties are expected to talk again once Jones returns.



I hope this fight happens. Roy could knock this guy out with a chicken wing even now.

 

I really hope it does get made.

A lot of people think Andy is the best MMA fighter P4P now.

And I would pick a SHOT Roy to KO him in 5 or 6 rounds.

 

Silva is not even close to a world class boxer. The difference between a good striker in MMA and a boxer is huge. Anderson will get embarassed, he really shouldn't be saying he's doing it to prove MMA fighters can box. He's going to look real stupid when it's over.

 

Anderson is 1-1 in a boxing ring. He'd get muff fucked, just like Jones would in an Octagon....the only real danger for Jones is if he hit him so hard Anderson forgot where he was and started winging in with knees.

 

very true....there are one or two guys in MMA who can actually box and when you see them it's like headlights in the gloom. Marcus Davis immediately comes to mind, that guy has C+ level boxing skills and he stands out like a sore thumb in an Octagon. Silva is a PHENOMENAL fighter but he ain't no boxer. His punching style is pretty awkward actually, looks more Karate than boxing.

 

I want it to happen too. Too bad Dana wouldn't allow it. His best fighter getting schooled by a past his prime RJ with the possibility of getting ruined isn't on his to-do list.

 

PIPEDREAM...

Dana White will NEVER Co-Sign on this:nono: ...He's Got Anderson Silva (who's Pretty Much Regarded as THE Best Mixed Martial Artist N the ENTIRE World Lb 4 LB) Under CONTRACT, @ the PEAK of his Abilities...

A Boxing Match is a Slanted Battle AGAINST Silva...

The UFC's Rep would Take a Hit from CASUAL/MAINSTREAM Fans if Roy Jones TOYS w/"The Best MMA Guy N the World Lb 4 Lb" N a Boxing Match...

Therefore it WON'T Happen...


REED

 

Exactly...


REED

 

Interesting prospect but as others have mentioned in this thread, it aint gonna happen.

 

I think Sven Ottke would beat Silva in MMA

 

No.

 

Much more talented athlete with great skills. I don't think Silva would ever get close against him

 

agREED....

Ottke's Style would BORE Silva to Sleep...He Wouldn't have to Choke him Out or Anything...


REED

 

Yeah Ottke is just a higher class of athlete than Silva. Speed, explosiveness, power, Sven has him outmatched in every department.

 

Much like Mayweather trying to hype his fight when he bashed the UFC, I think this is just Silva trying to draw attention to himself and get his name some mainstream press.

Like other's have mentioned, Dana White won't let it happen, because there's nothing in it for him. And he's not the easiest guy to work with, so I just don't see any way this bout gets put together.

Plus, there is a world of difference between boxing and MMA standup. The best MMA Strikers would be outclassed in a boxing match by an average boxer, and the best boxers would be beaten handily by an average MMA fighter in the cage. It's that simple.

Jones, with his speed and skill, would box circles around Silva, and probably pepper him at will, busting him up pretty good. And in a cage, Silva would have Jones tapping out within 60 seconds.

It ain't gonna happen. But since Silva has cleaned out the division, and has no big name opponants on the horizen, he's gotta do something to hype himself. And it looks like talking trash about a fight that'll never happen is it.


TFK

 

Mayweather didn't bash the UFC to hype his fight. UFC was busy trashing boxing at the time and was asked what he thought about the UFC.

 

Everything Mayweather does is to hype himself and his fights. Wrestlemania, Dancing with the Stars, bashing the UFC, it's all for a reason.

And that reason has nothing to do with defending boxing's honor.

And I give Mayweather credit. For a guy who comes off as very unlikable and douchebaggish, and doesn't have an overly exciting style of fighting, he's done a great job at exposing himself to the mainstream over the past few years.

TFK

 

They didn't even show that interview on ESPN until after the De la Hoya fight.

De la Hoyas name was what promoted the fight. De la Hoyas drawing power is insane.

 

Let's go Roy!!!

What if Roy submits Silva??? LOL

 

:: That would be the ultimate embarrassment.

But then again - what if Silva KOs Roy after all the opinions folks have given here? LOL....

 

it's not like ROy is gonna go blast this guy outta there..

Sliva looks up to Roy.. he is obviously not a boxer... Roy would carry him and just play.. it will end up being like an exhibition really

 

Roy KO0.5 MMA guy

 

Monkey, are you DC Money?

 

No, I don't even know who that is.. :dunno:

 

It is the same as GeeMoney. Are you that?

 

You think DC Money was Gee Money?

I don't think so.. was it??

maybe Monkey is my boy Ghetto Lizard?

 

I've always been the same name on here since the old boards :dunno: I'm serious.

 

Yeah....I remember monkeystyle from a long time ago.

 

Yeah I remember messing around with the crockodillo dude :clap: