Saturday’s eight-round boxing match at the Desert Diamond Arena in Arizona, shown on Showtime pay-per-view, concluded with Jake Paul knocking out Anderson Silva in the eighth and final round.
Observe the walkouts here:
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
In a few rounds, Silva, a former UFC middleweight champion and one of the best MMA fighters of all time, gave Paul hell.
Paul was defeated in the second round by the 47-year-signature old’s showboating. He maintained a low profile, danced with fluidity and rhythm, and caused his 25-year-old opponent to miss with instinctual evasion.
Observe Silva’s achievement here:
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
Paul, unfazed by Silva’s bravado, entered the third round with aggression and landed a right hand on the Brazilian.
As additional rounds finished, it became evident that Silva has superior timing, showmanship, and ring craft, while Paul possessed superior strength and youth.
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
The longer the bout lasted, the more likely it was that Paul would emerge victorious as the boxer with a twenty-year edge.
Indeed, he won the final two rounds with ease by using bodywork in the seventh round with a combination of poise and striking.
Paul was knocked out.
Jake Paul knocked Anderson Silva down.
Image via Getty Images
Silva entered the ring with all guns blazing in the eighth round, possibly believing that he would need to win the final round to secure the victory.
Silva’s throwing hands traded blows with wild abandon until Paul timed a well-placed right hand directly into his opponent’s face — bang.
The force and accuracy of the blow were sufficient to knock Silva to the ground, where he remained until at least the count of five as he regained his composure.
View the takedown right here:
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
Silva rallied late in the round in an attempt to reverse the trend, but it was not enough.
Paul had achieved the most significant victory of his boxing career against his toughest opponent to yet.
“It’s a strange feeling,” said Paul, who improved his improbable and undefeated professional record to 6-0. (4 KOs).
“Working hard pays off,” the warrior added. “Anderson was my childhood idol, and he encouraged me to be great. He was also the first superstar I ever met.
“Without him, this year’s combat would not have taken place. He is one tough dude. A legend. I have only the highest regard for him.
“This proves to everyone watching at home that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams. I started boxing professionally two and a half years ago and just defeated one of the greatest ever because I’m obsessed with this.”
Paul extended challenges to the MMA legend Nate Diaz and the boxing superstar Canelo.
Former UFC champion Jake Paul defeated Anderson Silva.
Image via Getty Images
Paul spoke on the knockout he won over Silva: “Just as we were fighting in the clinch, he was caught on his way out.
He proceeded “Throughout the entire fight, he absorbed so many brutal blows. This guy is an absolute dog. You observe what happens to everyone else who receives this punishment. He is the toughest man on earth, but I wanted it more.”
He continued, “I’m a real dog, and I left it all in the ring.”
— SHOWTIME Boxing (@ShowtimeBoxing) on Twitter
30 October 2022
Paul then shifted his focus to what or rather who he wants next, challenging MMA legend Nate Diaz, who recently left the UFC and is now a free agent.
—Nathan Diaz (@NateDiaz209)
30 October 2022
He also targeted the super middleweight world champion and one of the top fighters in the entire sport, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez.
“They will discover something to say. “Fight a real boxer.” I attempted to comply. If I were walking on water, it would be assumed that I cannot swim. There will always be detractors. There will always be detractors. If you are successful at anything, it is a part of your everyday life. I am not concerned about it. This is only the beginning.
“I desire Nate Diaz,” he declared. “Canelo, you too. You said, ‘You can’t beat a striker, and you can’t beat a legend like Anderson Silva.’ I just did it. Why can’t I beat Canelo?”