ANDERSON SILVA made a winning return to the boxing ring with a win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
The UFC icon, 46, earned a split-decision victory at the Estadio Jalisco in Mexico.
Silva made his pro boxing debut way back in 1998 then tasted victory at the second time of asking seven years later before focusing on UFC.
And the 34-11-1 former MMA middleweight champ did enough in his third boxing fight to earn the win.
Boxing as a southpaw, the Spider pulled out vintage moves to dodge and weave the swings from Chavez, taunting him all the way with some trademark showboating.
He landed a huge uppercut in the fourth and after that, Chavez struggled to make his mark for the remainder of the eight rounds.
The sluggish Mexican came in overweight for the limit, forcing him into a £72,000 fine paid to Silva.
And he was bloodied and bruised by the time the judges called it 77-75, 77-75, 75-77 to his opponent in his 60th pro career.
Canelo Alvarez was on hand ringside to congratulate Brazilian Silva on his victory.
And Jake Paul also gave credit to the veteran fighter – then invited him to fight on August 28 when the YouTuber takes on Tyron Woodley.
CASINO SIGN UP OFFER: GET £10 FREE BONUS WITH NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED
Paul tweeted: “Respect to Anderson Silva @spideranderson on the win….vc é uma lenda brasileira [you are a Brazilian legend]!
“Would be an honor to have him vs Roy Jones Jr on the same card as Tyron and I.”
Jones Jr, 52, dug his gloves out last November to challenge Mike Tyson as their exhibition ended in a draw after eight rounds.
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
