Ex-UFC Champion Anderson Silva Beats Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. In Split Decision Boxing Triumph

Mandatory Credit: Manuel Velasquez

Former UFC middleweight champion, Anderson Silva returned to the squared circle on Saturday night in Jalisco, Mexico -- turning in his third professional boxing victory, in a hugely high-profile split decision victory over former WBC middleweight champion, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. 

Silva, who recently parted ways with the UFC off the back of a knockout loss to Uriah Hall in October of last year, co-headlined a billed Tribute To The Kings event in Jalisco, Mexico -- competing against former WBC middleweight best, Chavez Jr. beneath an exhibition boxing match between Julio Cesar Chavez Sr. and Hector Camacho Jr. 

Meeting with 35-year-old Sinaloa native, Chavez Jr., who tipped the scales on Friday at 184.4lbs for the 182lbs contracted weight -- Curitiba veteran, Silva managed to take home quite a dubious split judging win over Chavez Jr., landing a total 392 punches over the course of the eight round fight -- in which the majority of media outlets scored comfortably in favour of the Brazilian. 

In a throwback to his prior success mixed martial arts, particularly during his reign as UFC middleweight champion, Silva backed into the corner and beckoned Chavez Jr. to engage and swing at him, before elusively swaying and misguiding shots onto his gloves and shoulders, before countering. 

Utilizing an eye-catching jab, quite literally, Silva managed to open a cut around Chavez Jr.'s right eye, who was beginning to falter and appeared to be suffering from fatigue as the rounds began to trundle on and stack up in Silva's favour. Taking a victory, albeit split (77-75 x2, and 75-77), Silva managed to score his third professional boxing win. 

.@SpiderAnderson wins a split decision over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.!!!!!

77-75 77-75 (For Silva) 75-77 (For Chavez Jr)#TributetotheKings

PPV: https://t.co/ZUiLgsTmuO pic.twitter.com/7bda85FU9l

— FITE (@FiteTV) June 20, 2021

Following the victory, Silva, who was met by current super middleweight champion, Canelo Alvarez in the ring, spoke of his happiness to score the victory over Chavez Jr.

"I feel so happy," Silva said. "Wow. I need to say thank you because my coach worked with me a lot. When I started training, I told my coach I needed to do this because I love fighting and boxing was my dream for many, many years and I needed to prove my respect for boxing. I needed to come in here and do my best."