Anderson Silva and Roy Jones Jr. Negotiating a Boxing Match

Representatives of UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva and boxing legend Roy Jones Jr. have confirmed that they are actively engaging in talks for a future boxing match.

Although the potential fight has been rumored since UFC 82 earlier this month, the report says that negotiations are now in the preliminary stage and that both Silva and Jones are pushing for it.

NBCSports.com, which first reported the possible boxing match during an interview with Silva prior to UFC 82, has also learned that the fight will be an official boxing match -- not an exhibition -- and that it would likely take place at a catchweight between 170 and 185 lbs.

There would be a few hurdles, of course. The UFC would have to sign off on the fight, and Silva would have to get a license from the hosting state's athletic commission. Silva and Jones would also have to agree on a split of the revenue.

However, NBCSports.com quoted Alan Hopper, director of public relations for Don King Productions, as saying the talks are ongoing and that Jones is interested in the fight.

No date or possible venue for the event has been decided. However, it would almost assuredly air on pay-per-view.

Silva, a 32-year-old who joined the UFC in late 2006, is a career 21-4 (including 6-0 in the UFC). After defeating Rich Franklin for the title at UFC 64, he's made three successful title defenses (and also has a win over Travis Lutter in a non-title fight). Silva, widely regarded as one of the sport's top strikers, has a seven-fight win streak with all seven victories coming via stoppage. He's 1-1 as a professional boxer, according to BoxRec.com.

Jones, 39, owns a career boxing mark of 52-4 with 38 knockouts, though his past five wins have come via decision. He won titles in the middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight classes before defeating John Ruiz for the WBA heavyweight championship in 2003. He was named the Boxing Writers Association of America's "Fighter of the Decade" for the 1990s, and he held the WBC, WBA, IBF, IBO, NBA, WBF, and IBA light heavyweight championships at the same time.

UFC president Dana White, who would need to approve the fight, has yet to comment on the matter.

This is a really foolish move on the UFC's part if they approve this fight. This is a no win situation especially given the declining skills of Roy Jones Jr. The UFC has been promoting the athleticism of the fighters and how many more skills they have than boxers. If Silva gets pummeled by Jones then you basically proved that an old boxer can beat the best pound for pound fighter in the world.

I seriously doubt that Dana White would let this fight take place. There's too much to risk and nothing to gain. Then again, some of the decisions the UFC has been making lately has a lot of us scratching our heads. As stupid as this fight would be, we can't put anything past Dana White anymore.