Silva is the first opponent Paul has faced who will enter the ring with a professional boxing record — not counting Paul’s rematch with Tyron Woodley. In fact, Silva holds a victory over former world
champion Julio Cesar Chavez, which showed how capable the former UFC middleweight champion is of using his unorthodox movement to fluster opponents inside the boxing ring.
“When you fight in combat sports you have to be a little crazy. I’m a little crazy, too. This is not for everyone. Everyone here are special guys and for sure everyone here is a little crazy,” Silva said at the final press conference. “
This is a competition and I’m training hard to make a great show for everyone. This fight is very special to me. I try to do my best because I love fighting and I love my job and now I’m free to do everything I like to do.”
Paul is coming off a brutal knockout of Woodley in their rematch. He was then set to face Tommy Fury only for that fight to fall through a second time.
Many thought Paul’s handlers would look to keep him away from Silva, a bigger, slicker and more prolific striker than anyone Paul has faced to date. But the risk has been taken and now Paul will look to take a big step forward and prove that he is continuing to build the skills necessary to make some noise as a serious boxer.
“For sure I have more pressure on my shoulders. Just being the ‘A’ side, and the amount of shit I talk I think the entire MMA community is waiting for me to lose,”
Paul said at the final press conference. “They want me to lose. I just have so many more big ideas and plans in this sport and I just plan on being here forever. This is the start of that, and the pressure is on.”
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The undercard fills out with a blend of young prospects looking to make a name for themselves and more celebrity attractions to get some more casual fans interested. Ashton Sylve, the 18-year-old super featherweight, is back in action when
he takes on veteran Braulio Rodriguez. Vets Alexandro Santiago and Antonio Nieves are set to throw down at bantamweight. Plus, former UFC middleweight Uriah Hall makes his pro boxing debut when he takes on former NFL running back
Le’Veon Bell, who is also making his pro debut. And opening up the festivities will be combat sports veteran Chris Avila when he takes on social media star Dr. Mike Varshavski.
“Fighters fight and it changes when you have to go out there and you have to adjust. We’re both fighters at the end of the day. He’s a powerful dude. I know he’s confident,” Hall said at media day.
“You can’t really focus on those outside negative affirmations. You have to stay present and I’m just looking forward to having some fun. He’s a challenge, it’s a step-up, it’s outside my comfort zone and I love a challenge.”
