GLENDALE, Arizona – Fight sports activities has an extended historical past of older fighters being fed to the subsequent younger lion on the rise. In simply his sixth professional struggle, Jake Paul did his greatest to verify youth was served on Saturday night time towards MMA legend Anderson Silva.
Paul (6-0, 4 KOs), the 25-year-old social media influencer turned boxer, rallied for a knockdown within the last spherical to cement an eight-round unanimous resolution in the principle occasion of a Showtime PPV card from Desert Diamond Enviornment. Paul took dwelling scores of 77-74 and 78-73 (twice) towards the 47-year-old Silva, the previous UFC middleweight champion.
“It is a surreal second. Onerous work pays off,” Paul mentioned. “I need to say thanks to Anderson. He was my idol rising up and he impressed me to be nice. With out him, we would not have a struggle this 12 months. He is a troublesome mofo, like for actual. I’ve a number of respect for him.”
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Paul has lengthy been criticized throughout his stunning flip to pugilism for not preventing an actual boxer. He tried twice to shut 2021 however scheduled fights towards Tommy Fury and Hasim Rahman Jr. fell aside. A struggle with Silva (3-2, 2 KOs in boxing), an opponent many Paul critics mentioned would by no means struggle, all of a sudden got here collectively, fueled by Silva’s 2021 upset of former middleweight titleholder Julio Caesar Chavez Jr.
Silva, a local of Brazil, was sport all through and appeared to presumably steal just a few shut rounds by rallying to again Paul up within the last 30 seconds with energy photographs. However the measurement and youth of Paul finally gained out as Silva was compelled to largely struggle in spots on account of his age.
“I labored exhausting to do a particular present for everyone right here,” Silva mentioned. “I say thanks for everybody to return. Typically you win, typically you lose however I proceed coaching exhausting as a result of I used to be born for this.”
Paul outlanded Silva, 83 to 79, based on CompuBox. He floored Silva in Spherical 8 with a counter proper hand and landed 42 p.c of his energy photographs general (included a 30 to 13 edge to the physique.
Paul embraced Silva after the struggle with the Brazilian legend telling him, “No one can discuss you, belief me. No one can discuss you.”
The efficiency was largely a mature one from Paul, who confirmed professional enchancment from his final efficiency, a late knockout of former UFC welterweight champion Tyron Woodley of their rematch in late 2021.
Controlling a lot of the second half of the struggle with three-punch mixtures that started to the physique and completed with proper crosses upstairs, Paul continued to point out what time and dedication can do.
“If I used to be strolling on water, individuals would say I am unable to swim. There may be all the time going to be haters however I do not fear about that shit,” Paul mentioned. “This simply goes to point out, even if you’re 47, chase your desires. It isn’t too late. I am obsessive about this and I’m going so exhausting each single day. In the event you work your ass off, you’ll be able to accomplish your desires. Do not let anybody inform you that you could’t do one thing.
“[Silva] took so many exhausting photographs all through the entire struggle. Dude was a canine. He was the hardest man however I simply needed it extra.”
After the win, Paul turned his consideration to calling out Nate Diaz, who is about to be a free agent following the expiration of his UFC deal, and boxing celebrity Canelo Alvarez. The Diaz struggle is rather more reasonable and seeds have already been planted as members of Paul and Diaz’s group engaged in a scuffle backstage shortly after Diaz’s teammate, Chris Avila, scored a victory to open the PPV card.
“Nate Diaz is a bitch. He tried to struggle me in my locker room after which left the sector,” Paul mentioned. “So Nate Diaz, do not be a bitch. Come struggle me.
“Anybody, anytime, anywhere. Anybody! Anytime! Anywhere!”
CBS Sports activities was with you all through all the method on Saturday, so make sure to comply with together with the reside outcomes and highlights beneath.
Battle card, outcomes
Paul vs. Silva scorecard, reside protection
| Paul | 10 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 76 |
| Silva | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 75 |
