By: Sean Crose
Those who criticize social media star-turned-pro boxer Jake Paul for not engaging in solid enough competition since he first entered the ring will likely nod approvingly upon hearing who the daredevil from Ohio has lined up for. be your next opponent. “My hardest test yet,” Paul tweeted on Tuesday. “I respect the legend, but he must be exterminated.” And who is the “legend”? He is none other than Anderson Silva, perhaps the greatest mixed martial artist to ever enter the octagon. But Silva is more than just an aging UFC star: the man, though he is in his forties, has proven himself in recent years to be a pretty decent fighter. Maybe not championship level at his age, but decent enough to challenge Jake Paul.
The bottom line? This fight is interesting. Also, Paul may now have an opponent who will show up. Paul and his promotional team, as well as Showtime, had to deal with the cancellation of their scheduled August 8 card at Madison Square Garden when each of the two men he had agreed to fight, Tommy Fury and Hasim Rahman Jr, could not (or would not) meet the requirements to fight (not being able to enter the United States and not making weight respectively). Say what you will about Silva, it’s doubtful he’ll miss or pass up the opportunity to headline a pay-per-view card.
The fight will take place in Phoenix at the Gila River Arena on October 29 as the main event of a Showtime pay-per-view telecast.
