Former UFC legend Anderson Silva has admitted his boxing shortcomings while denying he’s only dating Jake Paul for the money.
Silva will be 47-and-a-half years old when he fights the YouTuber, who is 22 years his junior, next week. The 3-1 starting boxer is a slight outsider in the bookies only because Paul is the promoter of the event.
On any other day of the week, and had he been even five years younger, the odds would have been firmly stacked in Silva’s favour.
Can Anderson Silva knock out Jake Paul?
But now the Brazilian is a fighting dinosaur. It’s doubtful he has enough left to keep up with a fit looking gym goer, even if he lacks basic boxing skills.
When discussing the challenges ahead, Silva knows his own boxing technique isn’t all it’s cracked up to be after years in MMA.
“It’s different because there are seven different disciplines in MMA. But for boxing, I just train for boxing,” Silva said.
“I need to train more with footwork, hand position. But I trained in boxing for many, many years. So that’s what I’m comfortable doing.
“Every fight you have different things you train for. Every fight is different. For this fight, I’m training to fight a boxer.
“The most important thing in this fight is my experience. My experience is something Jake doesn’t have.
“I like this challenge. This is a secret for me. I’m going to this fight to show my respect to the boxing community.”
Poor quality PPV product
Regarding the criticism Paul faces from the staunch boxing media, who would rather see real boxing than vloggers trying to sell a shoddy PPV product, Silva added: “A lot of people say Jake’s not worthy, that he’s not that good of a striker .
“But for me, a fight is a fight. I am training hard to win this fight. I don’t look at it as an easy fight.
“Every fight is dangerous when you step over the ropes.
“I’m not going to lose. Nothing will affect my legacy. I have worked hard for years to do something like this for my fans.
“It’s another fight – another challenge for myself, but it won’t affect my legacy and my career.”
Capture of money
Ending speculation that he needed the money after earning far less in MMA than in boxing, Silva stated: “I don’t need the money anymore.
“People think money is important, but it’s not. Of course I will make money from it to fight because it’s my job.
“Don’t do something just for money. Work because you have a passion. That’s what I’ve been doing and that’s why I’ve been successful all my life.”
Silva stepped up his training camp from September to October. But starting Monday, when fight week begins, both competitors will be done with their efforts and ready for Saturday night.
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Anderson Silva admits boxing flaws, denies Jake Paul money grab
