Top Rank Boxing for August 12: Raymond Muratalla vs. Diego Torres as Co-Feature to Emanuel Navarrete vs. Oscar Valdez
July 10, 2023
By: Kirk Jackson
Weight is made and everything is set to go.
Moving past the Hasim Rahman Jr. controversy, pop culture superstar Jake “The Problem Child” Paul is set to face Mixed Martial Arts legend Anderson “The Spider” Silva in an eight-round cruiserweight match on Saturday, October 29 in a Most Valuable Promotions (MVP) event live on SHOWTIME PPV at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT from Desert Diamond Arena (formerly Gila River) just outside of Phoenix.
Cruiserweight Bout – 8 Rounds
Jake Paul – 186 ½ lbs.
Anderson Silva – 186 lbs.
Referee: Wes Melton; Judges: Paul Calderon (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)
Lightweight Bout – 8 Rounds
Ashton Sylve – 132 ½ lbs.
Braulio Rodriguez – 132 ½ lbs.
Referee: Tony Zaino; Judges: Eric Curcio (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.).
Bantamweight Bout – 10 Rounds
Alexandro Santiago – 118 lbs.
Antonio Nieves – 117 ¾ lbs.
Referee: Wes Melton; Judges: Eric Curcio (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)
Cruiserweight Bout – 4 Rounds
Uriah Hall – 198 ½ lbs.
Le’Veon Bell – 197 ½ lbs.
Referee: Tony Zaino; Judges: Eric Curcio (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)
Cruiserweight Bout – 4 Rounds
Chris Avila – 183 ¼ lbs.
Dr. Mike Varshavski – 182 ½ lbs.
Referee: Joey Chavez; Judges: Paul Calderon (Ariz.), Dennis O’Connell (Ariz.), Chris Wilson (Ariz.)
Final Quotes:
JAKE PAUL
“For sure I have more pressure on my shoulders. Just being the ‘A’ side, and the amount of sh– I talk I think the entire MMA community is waiting for me to lose. 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.”
“I’m the young guy and he’s really, really good and has more experience. He has the weight, the height, the reach so all the odds are stacked against me. He’s very fast, very technical, very rangy, good defense, good movement. I’ll have to be perfect on Saturday night. I know I’m capable of doing that but I’m ready for war. Skill aside, it might come down to who wants it more and I believe that’s me.”
“When you get into the ring you have to be ruthless, savage, be willing to do whatever it takes during the darkest moments in the ring. You have to be a killer or you will be killed, so that’s where the problem child comes in. I’m a problem for anyone that’s in the ring with me. I can put you out at any time. I’m a different person. I don’t care about consequences when I’m in the alter ego and I come alive when I enter the ring. It’s not Jake. It’s someone else that I tap into.”
“Logan was like, ‘Are you sure you want to do this?’ Now you think I’m going to win.”
ANDERSON SILVA
“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.”
“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.”
“I don’t believe this affects my legacy, in my journey in combat sports. I try to do my best to give something to the new generation. Jake and I are bringing two big generations together and people think this will affect my legacy or affect Jake’s legacy, but I don’t believe that because it’s about passion and love.”
“Everyone always asks, ‘Are you sure you want to face Jake Paul? He’s beating a lot of guys in the UFC.’ I say, ‘Yeah, I think I’m ready for that. He’s younger than me but I’m a superhero.’”
During the final press conference on Thursday, Paul said that if Silva wins, he would face Silva in a kick-boxing match – a competition that many deem would place Paul at a severe disadvantage. Paul said if he wins, he and Silva would create together a united fighter’s association to help UFC and all MMA fighters get better pay and healthcare.
I lean towards for the latter to fall through, with Paul scoring victory over the aging legend Saturday night.