Anderson Silva pulled off a sizable betting upset in his return to boxing on Saturday when he beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Silva, a former longtime UFC middleweight champion, has long expressed a desire to step back into the boxing ring after having two fights prior to making a run in MMA to become an all-time great. Many believed the 46-year-old bit off more than he could chew in facing a former champion, but “The Spider” far exceeded expectations.
The Brazilian worked Chavez Jr. over for the majority of the eight rounds, landing some big shots, showboating and clearly enjoying himself en route to a split decision win.
Many walked away from Silva’s performance impressed. Check out the top Twitter reactions to his victory over Chavez Jr. in Mexico.
MMA Junkie
Anderson Silva's boxing return vs. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. is moments away.
Live blog: https://t.co/QOO3ISyhJw pic.twitter.com/ej814USQCt
— MMA Junkie (@MMAjunkie) June 20, 2021
Danny Segura
Anderson Silva is in the ring for his first professional boxing bout in 16 years.#TributeToTheKings pic.twitter.com/YQYdw3n6IH
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 20, 2021
FiteTV
Here comes #TheSpider, @SpiderAnderson for his #boxing bout against @jcchavezjr1!#TributeToTheKings
PPV: https://t.co/cUFR9Hvg9P pic.twitter.com/ZLRf6J46V5
— FITE (@FiteTV) June 20, 2021
Danny Segura
Julio César Chávez Jr. getting booed in his walkout to the ring.
This is a very pro Silva crowd despite it being in Mexico. #TributeToTheKings pic.twitter.com/vsbJOs9pUZ
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 20, 2021
Matthew Wells
Pretty uneventful first round. #TributeToTheKings
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) June 20, 2021
Damon Martin
'It's safe to say he already did better than Ben Askren"
Commentators on Anderson Silva's performance through R1 tonight @FiteTV #TributeToTheKings
— Damon Martin (@DamonMartin) June 20, 2021
Caposa
Anderson won R2
— caposa (@Grabaka_Hitman) June 20, 2021
Mike Goldberg
Let’s go @SpiderAnderson #HereWeGo
— Mike Goldberg (@GoldieOnTV) June 20, 2021
Ariel Helwani
Silva is doing well. Probably better than most boxing purists thought. Can’t help but think how much better he’d be if this was 6-8 years ago. The skills are there. Shame he never got that chance.
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 20, 2021
MMA History Today
Anderson Silva is winning a boxing match against Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
— MMA History Today (@MMAHistoryToday) June 20, 2021
Shaun Al-Shatti
Man, Anderson Silva is having the time of his life in there…and he doesn't look bad! Fun stuff so far. #TributeToTheKings
— SUNS IN 4 AL-SHATTI (@shaunalshatti) June 20, 2021
Matthew Wells
Silva easily takes the 4th round. He put it on Chavez Jr. the entire round. #TributeToTheKings
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) June 20, 2021
Greg Rosenstein
Julio Cesar Chavez watching his son lose rounds to Anderson Silva, probably pic.twitter.com/npD1GiiMBj
— Greg Rosenstein (@grosenstein) June 20, 2021
Brent Brookhouse
Oh, we're getting some old school Chavez whining.
— Brent Brookhouse (@brentbrookhouse) June 20, 2021
Cris Cyborg
There is only one 🐐 #AndersonSilva @SpiderAnderson 🙏🏼🇧🇷
— CrisCyborg.Com (@criscyborg) June 20, 2021
Nolan King
Vintage 🕷 shit. He back? #ChavezJrSilva https://t.co/Pmv97UTVvB
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) June 20, 2021
Matthew Wells
"The surprising thing for me is the comfort level of Anderson Silva."
Commentator must have never seen a single Anderson Silva fight ever. #TributeToTheKings
— Matthew Wells (@MrMWells) June 20, 2021
Simon Samano
If this highlight clip was a quote:
“I back … I back.” #TributeToTheKings https://t.co/fgtzor3s3B
— Simon Samano (@SJSamano) June 20, 2021
Brian Campbell
Of all of Chavez Jr.'s career fails, this one is pretty bad against a 46-year-old retired MMA champ.
— Brian Campbell (@BCampbell) June 20, 2021
Danny Segura
I scored it 77-75, Silva. He really turned it up mid way and didn’t stop. Great showing. #TributeToTheKings
— Danny Segura (@dannyseguratv) June 20, 2021
Aaron Bronsteter
Dude… Anderson Silva just beat Julio Cesar Chavez Jr by decision IN MEXICO at his Chavez Jr.'s father's event.
That is unfathomable.
— Aaron Bronsteter (@aaronbronsteter) June 20, 2021
Marc Raimondi
Canelo clearly impressed with Anderson Silva. #TributeToTheKings pic.twitter.com/CcC8nNno6Y
— Marc Raimondi (@marc_raimondi) June 20, 2021
John McCarthy
Holy crap @SpiderAnderson just beat Chavez Jr. They gave him a Split Decision, but it was a runaway win no doubt for Silva. Should have been no more than 6-2 for Silva
— Big John McCarthy (@JohnMcCarthyMMA) June 20, 2021
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