JAKE PAUL has vowed to “respectfully” knock out Anderson Silva next month.
The YouTuber turned boxer will look to stretch his unbeaten record in the ring to 6-0 after the ex-UFC star was granted a boxing licence.
The clash between the much-maligned star and the 48-year-old Brazilian will take place in Phoenix, Arizona on October 29.
Paul, 25, was originally due to return on August 6 until suffering two fight cancellations.
The American was twice set to fight Tommy Fury, 23, until the Brit pulled out after suffering an injured rib and due to US visa issues.
Hasim Rahman Jr, 31, had signed to replace Fury but a weight disagreement with Paul saw their bout cancelled.
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Paul last fought in December, knocking out Fury’s substitute Tyron Woodley, 40, who he had already beaten on points four months earlier.
That added to KOs over online rival AnEsonGib, ex-NBA player Nate Robinson, 38, and retired UFC welterweight Ben Askren, 38.
Meanwhile Silva was released by the UFC in 2020 following five losses in six bouts, three of which were on the spin.
But he has made a successful transition to boxing, having already had a 1-1 record in the ring.
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Silva beat former middleweight world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, 36, in June 2021 then knocked out ex-UFC champ Tito Ortiz, 47, in September and he will now become Paul’s first opponent with a recognised boxing record.
The Problem Child admitted at a press conference to promote the fight last night that he grew up idolising Silva.
He even posed for pictures with his brother Logan and Silva, and one with his upcoming opponent’s mother.
But he still insists that the bout will not last longer than five rounds as he is going to “respectfully” knock out his idol.
He said: “Anderson Silva is the nicest guy in the world and we love him. If my opponent is a d***head, I’m gonna treat him like a d***head and beat his f***ing ass, and I think people have seen that side of me. But I respect this man.
“I’m still gonna knock him out, but respectfully knock him out. It won’t go more than five.”
Source: Boxing - thesun.co.uk
