MMA and boxing fans came together to watch a massive crossover bout between Anderson Silva and Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. The scrap was a professional bout that was slated for 8 rounds and went down under the Tribute to the Kings banner. The scrap in Guadalajara was Anderson Silva’s first appearance since parting ways with the UFC.
UFC fighters and fans were excited to see Anderson ‘The Spider’ and Twitter began to heat up. The last time Anderson Silva boxed was all the way back in 2005.
— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) June 20, 2021
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Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. vs. Anderson Silva is up next from Guadalajara, Mexico. Silva’s first pro boxing match since 2005. Should be interesting. #ChavezJrSilva
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) June 20, 2021
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Tribute to the Kings: Anderson Silva vs Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
The first two rounds of the contest were back and forth with Chavez Jr picking up the first and Silva coming strong in the second. The preparedness that Silva showed pleasantly surprised the combat sports community. The 46-years-old and began turning on the pace against a tried and tested boxer.
Anderson Silva is actually looking pretty solid out there. Might have won the second round. #TributeToTheKings
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) June 20, 2021
Round 2 for Silva.
19-19#TributeToTheKings— Jed I. Goodman (@jedigoodman) June 20, 2021
‘The Spider’ completely showed up in round 3 and began showboating inside the ring. Silva’s look was vintage and the MMA community immediately recognized his tactics for showboating. He began goading Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. on, even inviting him back into the ring.
Anderson Silva sure looks comfortable in a boxing ring 👀
The Spider is showboating against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. #ChavezJrSilva pic.twitter.com/WBZUJyyiYV
— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) June 20, 2021
Vintage @SpiderAnderson #ChavezJrSilva
📹: @FiteTV pic.twitter.com/2VX1WJAQ6X
— Fight Network (@fightnet) June 20, 2021
Fans of ‘vintage’ Anderson Silva went crazy when he showcased the dynamism that made him famous.
Anderson Silva is likely down on the scorecards, but he's holding his own and having fun.
Haven't seen Silva show this much bravado in years. He's challenging and taunting Chavez Jr.#TributeToTheKings
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 20, 2021
Anderson Silva is taunting and clowning Chavez Jr. It’s like the old Anderson in there. What a trip. This is fun. #TributeToTheKings
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) June 20, 2021
Ok this is beyond awesome. Anderson turning back the clock. He looks amazing out there.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 20, 2021
Anderson Silva is winning this fight. He really put it on Chavez Jr. in the fourth round. #TributetotheKings @FiteTV
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) June 20, 2021
Marking out HARD right now! This is vintage Anderson Silva. #TributeToTheKings @FiteTV
— Stephen Jensen (@FightTalk_) June 20, 2021
As the fight entered the later rounds, Anderson Silva pulled away on the scorecards. He landed heavy shots right from the get-go and distributed his offense well between the head and the body. What’s more, as Chavez Jr began tiring out, it slowly dawned on fans that Silva may just be coming out on top.
Anderson Silva legit might be winning this thing… #TributeToTheKings
— SUNS IN 4 AL-SHATTI (@shaunalshatti) June 20, 2021
Anderson Silva is one round away from beating Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. He's been boxing him up all night. Chavez Jr. is bleeding and exhausted.
Jr. needs a KO at this point.#TributetotheKings
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) June 20, 2021
Anderson Silva is about to beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. #ChavezJrSilva
— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) June 20, 2021
If Anderson can hold on here he’ll open himself up to some very large boxing paydays in the near future. This is huge for him given the landscape these days.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 20, 2021
Anderson Silva is about to beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. #ChavezJrSilva
— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) June 20, 2021
I scored it 77-75, Silva. He really turned it up mid way and didn’t stop. Great showing. #TributeToTheKings
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 20, 2021
Once the scores were about to be announced, the general consensus was that Silva had won the contest. The judges too agreed with the fanbase and handed Silva the split decision victory. In fact, the expectation of everyone watching the fight was that ‘Spider’ should have won via a unanimous decision.
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Anderson Silva defeats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr via split decision but that should've been unanimous. Silva, at 46 years of age, looked great. What a legend!pic.twitter.com/NUCXuymmfr
— Chamatkar Sandhu (@SandhuMMA) June 20, 2021
Anderson Silva def. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. via split decision (75-77, 77-75, 77-75).
Amazing performance, you can tell Silva was having all the fun in the world. #TributeToTheKings
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 20, 2021
Dude… Anderson Silva just beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by decision IN MEXICO at his Chavez Jr.'s father's event.
That is unfathomable.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 20, 2021
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And boxing almost robbed Anderson Silva from a clear win.
This why I don't watch boxing like I used to.
— Weasle (@ThaWeasle) June 20, 2021
Anderson Silva just cooked up Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. I don't want to hear about this split decision nonsense.
Silva vs. Jones Jr., anyone?
— José Youngs (@JoseYoungs) June 20, 2021
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What did you make of the former UFC middleweight champion’s return to the squared circle?
