By Erik Fontanez
SOURCE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32L_jbvzS8Q
Roy Jones, Jr. is convinced Anderson Silva lost to Chris Weidman at UFC 162 because the UFC fighter was too focused on a potential match with the multiple-division boxing champion.
Following Silva’s loss last Saturday in Las Vegas, Jones said that the UFC fighter’s attention wasn’t entirely on Weidman. Instead, the longtime desire to box Jones was what clouded Silva’s concentration when he was finished via technical knockout, according to the boxer.
“With Anderson, what I saw was a guy that was playing because for so long now he’s been wanting to box me,” Jones told Fuel TV after Saturday’s UFC card. “I don’t even think in the fight … Weidman was really on his mind. I think he really was more out to show that he had the razzle-dazzle for his boxing goals because he’s trying to prove a point.”
Jones explained that he thinks Silva’s antics in the Octagon, which included taunts and blatant disregard for Weidman’s striking by keeping his hands low, represented a loss of hunger and desire to compete as the UFC 185-pound champion.
Referring to himself as “one of the best,” Jones said that Silva’s mind frame is one that turned its attention to wanting to see how he can do in a boxing ring. Silva, according to the boxer, feels he’s done MMA long enough and other arenas of combat sports seem more appealing.
“Things like that do happen, especially when you see guys not have the hunger they [used to have] or not be as focused,” he said. “When I fought (Antonio) Tarver in the second fight, I had no reason to beat Tarver. I had already won, recaptured the light heavyweight title, so it takes a little bit away from you.”
UFC President Dana White confirmed on Saturday that he and Jones have been in discussions about putting a fight between Silva and Jones together. White said he asked the boxer if he was free and clear of any other promoters, and Jones simply told the MMA executive not to worry about it. Essentially, White said, Jones would “make it happen.”
Even with Silva defeated, Jones is still very much interested in a fight with the former UFC title holder. When asked if he was still obliged to meet Silva in a boxing ring, Jones said, “Of course.”
“It’s something the world’s been wanting to see for a long time,” he explained. “It’s an event, not a boxing match, not an MMA fight, but an event [between] two guys who have that razzle-dazzle, and when they’re focused, you can’t whoop them.”
Attempts by FightHubTV.com to reach Silva’s representation about a potential boxing match with Jones went unanswered at the time of this publication. At this time, no comments have been made by Silva or his camp in regards to making his next fight in a boxing ring.
