The boxing world turns their attentions away from world titles and towards one of the biggest stars in the sport as Jake Paul returns to the ring to take on UFC veteran and legend Anderson Silva in a catchweight bout in Glendale, Arizona.
The undefeated YouTuber has his first fight since moving to 5-0 professionally with four knockouts back in December last year, while Silva returns to the ring for the first time since moving to 3-1 with a knockout win back in July 2021, in a bout that has caught attention from all over the world as the first real big test for Paul's career.
We'll take a look at both fighters and preview the bout, while providing you with our best free boxing picks to see if we can earn you some extra cash for the holiday season.
Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva information
- Saturday,October 29 2022
- Scheduled for 20:00 ET
- Desert Diamond Arena, Glendale, Arizona
- 187-pound catchweight fight
- 8x3 minute rounds
Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva odds
- JakePaul - (-130)
- Anderson Silva - (+110)
This fight is sure to be an exciting match up, and that's reflected in the way that the odds have fluctuated since it was announced back in September.
Paul opened as the favorite, before a big swing in betting saw the odds completely flip flop and Silva replaced him in the eyes of the bookmakers. Since then though, the odds have levelled out and returned to their initial line, with "The Problem Child" sitting at -130.
Paul is 5-0 professionally with four knockout wins, having beaten fellow YouTuber AnEsonGib via first-round knockout in January 2020, former NBA star Nate Robinson via second-round knockout, former MMA world champion Ben Askren via first-round knockout and then five-time UFC world champion Tyron Woodley twice, first by split decision and then via brutal knockout.
At best price -130 with BetOnline sports betting, you would have to bet $130 to see a return of $100, which is pretty good value if he think he can get the win.
He'll be coming up against one of the all-time great strikers in combat sports though in The Spider Silva, who comes into this bout on a three-fight winning streak against opposition arguably tougher than that of Paul's.
Silva lost his professional boxing debut back in 1998 before moving into MMA full-time, where he became the longest-reigning middleweight champion of all-time in the UFC. Since retiring from that sport though he has returned to boxing and gone 3-0, with a knockout win over Julio Cesar de Jesus, a split-decision win over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and then a dominant knockout win over former UFC champion Tito Ortiz.
At a best price of +110 with BetOnline sports betting, you can win $110 for every $100 you bet on Silva to bring the hype train of Paul to an end.
Check out the best bonuses available with our top bookmakers here.
Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva preview
Paul is known for his erratic fighting style, which UFC star Tom Aspinall once branded “dangerous.” He takes risks, throws haymakers, and clearly has power, given that he has put four of his five opponents to sleep.
His biggest strength is undoubtedly his power left hand, which has caught the attention of the boxing world. He also has the advantage of being 22 years younger than Silva and in the prime of his career, while Silva is 47 years old and way past his best. That doesn't mean he isn't more than in this fight though.
One of Paul's biggest weaknesses is that you can usually see his power punches coming a mile off. If I can see them, you can bet a veteran fighter like Anderson Silva can, too. This leaves him vulnerable to counterattacks. He also keeps his left (lead) hand low, and Silva will look to take advantage of that as a fellow southpaw.
Silva is known for his flamboyant style, with his taunts becoming synonymous with his fighting. This cost him dearly in his first bout with Chris Weidman, who put him to sleep when he dropped his guard to taunt him. However, this style has broken the will of many fighters over the years.
Paul’s youth and the pace of the fight may prove to be too much for ‘The Spider,’ and if he drops his guard and shows the up-and-comer any disrespect, Paul’s power punches could send him home for good. But Silva is notorious for having a granite chin and slick movement, so he'll look to punish those power punches with some of his own.
He also has an advantage in height and reach, something Paul will have to deal with for the first time in his career, and Silva knows how to use them expertly to set up his attacks.
Boxing picks: Back Silva for the KO
This is a fight that could really go either way, but it's hard to look beyond Silva landing a huge counter punch and securing the win because Paul has never been hit flush by an opponent his size who hits like Silva does.
There is no bad blood between the two, so it's possible that neither guy looks to push for a finish. If it goes to the cards though, with Paul being the promoter and the money cow that he is you'd bet your bottom dollar that he gets the nod whether it be clear or controversial.
For that reason I think Silva's competitive nature will come out more and once he smells blood he'll go for the kill, and get the stoppage midway through the bout.
Check out our review for BetUS sports betting here.
