After a long, storied career with the UFC, Anderson Silva is preparing for his third professional boxing fight. The mixed martial artist isn’t signed to any major promotion as he enters the squared circle to fight Julio Cesar Chavez Jr (52-5-1). Hence, the stakes couldn’t be higher for “The Spider” who would want to make a name for himself in a comparatively unfamiliar sport for him.

In conversation with Bleacher Report, Silva detailed his transition from being a Muay Thai specialist in MMA to boxing.

“[Training for a boxing match] is completely different [than preparing for an MMA fight]. You don’t train jiu-jitsu, you don’t train wrestling, you don’t train Muay Thai, it’s only boxing,” Silva said. He then added that training and learning, even at 46, made him feel blessed. “I’m happy because every single day I’m surprised because I learned something new. I feel lucky to have this opportunity.”

Silva’s striking prowess is undoubtedly one of his best assets. In his UFC run, Silva’s speed, timing, and accuracy were a spectacle not to be missed at any cost. He was a fighter who could be looking somewhere else and landing a clean punch on his opponent with no trigger movement.

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Silva expanded on his mental state before the bout set for June 19.“When you go inside the ring, everything changes, but I’ve prepared for war. I’ve prepared my mind and my coach has prepared me for good boxing. I’m going to do my best. I trained to win,” he said.

Will Anderson Silva’s love for fighting translate in the boxing ring?

Going 1-7 in his last 8 fights with the UFC, it’s obvious that the 46-year-old ‘Spider,’ is past his fighting prime. Yet the love for the sport continues to compel him to compete again professionally.

In the interview, he said, “Fighting is my life. I love fighting. I love challenging myself—I like to learn—and this is a good challenge for me. Everything’s new. I’m very lucky. I try to enjoy the whole moment. I come to the gym, and I try to absorb the whole energy I have with my trainers, my coach.”

Opting to test the waters of pro boxing, it comes as a surprise that Silva would jump straight into the deep end. Julio Chávez Jr. is a former WBC middleweight champion and has contested for light heavyweight titles as well. Boxing all his life under the patronage of his father, the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez, “JC. Jr” is well renowned for his knockout ability.

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This may have been the challenge Silva wanted after years in the octagon and almost 15 years on since his last boxing bout. Given the fact that he is a lifelong combat star, ‘Spider’ rocking the 12-ounce gloves again would be a sight to see.

Do you think Silva pulls off an upset against Chavez Jr? Let us know.