Gabriel Silva, son of UFC legend Anderson Silva, returns to the boxing ring Saturday to problem Anthony Taylor for the Misfits gentle heavyweight title at X Collection 17 in Dublin, Eire, and goals of the day he’ll maintain world titles as nicely.
Silva has been victorious in three boxing matches thus far between each skilled and exhibition contests, and needs to “develop” his father’s title to a distinct sport after “The Spider’s” historic success in combined martial arts.
“That’s my closing objective, to be world champion [in boxing],” Silva instructed MMA Preventing. “I’ve educated with world champions earlier than, I’ve examined myself towards world champions, and I do know I’ve what it takes to be a world champion sooner or later. That’s the ultimate objective, to combat for world titles on this sport and convey our title to the game of boxing and never solely in MMA, to form of develop it to different horizons.”
Silva grew up watching his father defend the UFC middleweight title — and was within the enviornment for a lot of of his wins — however doesn’t plan on beginning a profession in combined martial arts.
“Rising up with my father and my household, I’ve all the time had this martial arts mindset and knew a little bit of every part,” Silva mentioned. “I’ve fought kickboxing and Muay Thai, I plan on competing in jiu-jitsu in some unspecified time in the future, and possibly combat MMA as nicely, however not like beginning a profession. Only for the expertise, actually. I’ve educated MMA and adopted lots of my father’s camps, and legends like [Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira] ‘Minotauro’. I feel it could be form of silly to not be a part of this world as nicely. I feel it’s actually fascinating, however my focus is on boxing.”
Silva mentioned sharing the ring as soon as with WBO and IBF middleweight champion Janibek Alimkhanuly (15-0) and WBO World tremendous welterweight champion Slawa Spomer (19-0) at Brickhouse Boxing Membership has given him the arrogance to pursue gold.
“[Alimkhanuly] is a tricky man, very expert, and it was good coaching,” Silva mentioned. “We did six robust rounds, so it was nice expertise. I’ve additionally sparred with champions from Germany as nicely, Slawa Spomer, who’s additionally very robust. We did good sparring at Brickhouse in North Hollywood. I’ve nice coaching on the health club, very high-level athletes, so you may get expertise from all of them.”
Silva revealed that Misfits thought of holding an occasion in Brazil earlier this 12 months and tried so as to add “The Spider” to the cardboard as nicely, however it didn’t come to fruition. The UFC veteran ended up competing in an exhibition match towards Chael Sonnen at Spaten Battle Night time in June, and Kalyl Silva was featured on the cardboard. Gabriel was approached with a suggestion to be on the cardboard, however the deal wasn’t closed.
Silva leaves the door open to presumably share a card along with his father sooner or later, and has one acquainted title in thoughts his dream match for “The Spider” in boxing.
“Preventing is air for my father, he can’t dwell with out it,” Silva mentioned. “There are a number of opponents, however the one I personally wish to see is Roy Jones Jr. They’re each tremendous technical and it could be tremendous cool to observe regardless of the age. I feel it could be very fascinating. That’s a combat [Anderson] has requested for thus lengthy and it by no means occurred.”
For now, the 27-year-old Silva focuses on clinching his first title belt on the earth of boxing dwell on DAZN PPV, and respects Taylor as an opponent. The five-fight Bellator veteran, who as soon as confronted Tommy Fury in boxing, is endeavor a fast turnaround after defending his Misfits belt earlier this month with a second-round stoppage of Samuel Ericsson.
“He has form of adjusted a couple of issues in his sport,” Silva mentioned. “He was doing extra clinch work earlier than, and ended up ending the man. He has modified a bit, coming extra aggressive, however we’re prepared for this. I’ve the most effective coach, I’m coaching at the most effective health club, so we’re prepared for no matter comes.”
