Could Anderson Silva, the UFC "middleweight" champion make it as a boxer.?

Question

He is 6'2" and 185lb and would be a light heavy (if he cut weight a bit),a cruiserweight or heavyweight. He has had two boxing matches, one in 1998 against a 20-2 opponent, his first fight, which he lost on a TKO 2, and a win by KO2 in 2005. He only looks big enough to be a lightheavyweight in boxing.

Answer 1

Most guys from kickboxing have huge problems with turning to boxing; two huge problems always seem to be stamina and defense.

He has length, size, etc. - but so do a lot of guys you've never heard of that lack top notch skill and experience.  He has terrific abilites in his sport (I'm really a huge fan of his) with his kickboxing ability and how well he blends that with jiu-jitsu, but his hand speed isn't exceptional, and a lot of his punches are thrown with the intent of setting up a kick or knee; he, like any boxer trying to enter MMA, would have to re-learn their discipline.

I think he is happy completely dominating the hottest new sport in America.

Answer 2

Of the big wins in UFC he won by knee strikes and chokes neither of which is allowed in boxing.  But if he went over to K-1 he would win the Grand Prix tournament.

Answer 3

I don't see it.  He's an amazing striker, but going to boxing only takes away so much of his skill set.  I think he would get beaten quite handily by most decent boxers.

Would be nice to see him get a good pay day though.

Answer 4

The way Silva lands kicks and knees, it would seriously cramp his style to accept the limits of boxing.  If he got down to 175 he would at best be mediocre as a boxer, but at 168 his hand speed and power would give a lot of pro boxers problems.  I have not seen many of Silva's MMA fights and I don't know how good his chin is.  It would depend on his making weight, and at how low a weight he could still be effective at as to whether he could compete at a world class level in a boxing ring.  I know one thing though, if I was in a bar fight I would want Silva on my side.

Answer 5

No, no, no!