Jones Accepts Silva’s Challenge

Immediately after his win over Dan Henderson earlier this month, Anderson Silva mentioned that he is interested in entering the professional boxing ranks, namely to take on former pound-for-pound phenom Roy Jones Jr.

The idea has since been repeated, both by Silva himself and his manager, Ed Soares. That idea may soon become a reality as Jones Jr. himself has reportedly expressed interest in fighting Silva at some point in the near future according to MMA Weekly.

“I just spoke with Roy Jones’ management and they are very interested in it,” Soares told Ken Pishna. “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.”

Soares also went on to say that Jones believes a potential fight against his client will help mend the relationship between boxing and mixed martial arts.

“They think it will actually bring together the boxing and MMA communities,” said Soares. “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.”

While the a potential roadblock courtesy of the UFC looms ahead, one would automatically assume that Dana White and the UFC’s infamous exclusive contracts would prevent Silva from stepping anywhere near a ring.

However Jones Jr. is historically stubborn himself, usually only fighting on his terms and when he feels like it these days. Trust me, I know from experience.

Then again, everybody has a price. White’s past association with boxing is strong enough to at least make him consider things. If White and Don King (who I believe has the promotional rights to Jones but I could be mistaken) could strike a deal where both sides could come out of the proceedings better than ever, we could be witnessing history in the making shortly.

It would be an historic event. One of the best ever in one sport going up against a potential all-time great in another. Boxing vs MMA. It’d be huge.

For more on the potential fight between Silva and Jones, check out a piece I wrote yesterday regarding it.

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