UFC legend Anderson Silva has signed a contract to fight boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
Silva, 45, will face former middleweight champion Chavez Jr on June 19, at Jalisco Stadium in Guadalajara, Mexico.
He told TMZ Sports: “When I look back at my journey, I see that nothing has been in vain.
“I am extremely happy for the opportunity to test my boxing skills with Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.
“I train continuously, always striving for resilience and to overcome obstacles. Fighting is my everlasting breath.”
Chavez Jr, 35, added: “I have rededicated myself to the sport that I love and I will be ready to face anyone in the light-heavyweight division starting with Silva.
“I will be prepared to be victorious on June 19.”
Silva was released by the UFC last year after defeat to Uriah Hall, the Brazilian’s third on the bounce.
Afterwards, the middleweight legend vowed to continue fighting and his exit from the UFC allowed him to venture into boxing.
He has twice boxed before, a loss in 1998 and a win in 2005, and was always linked with facing Roy Jones Jr.
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Jones, 52, returned himself in November, drawing to heavyweight icon Mike Tyson, 54, who made a comeback 15 years after retiring.
RJJ and Silva were in talks to finally fight, but the news comes out of left field that Chavez Jr will instead share the ring with the UFC icon.
Headlining on the night will be Chavez Sr, 58, against Hector Camacho Jr, 42 in an exhibition bout.
Camacho is the son of Hector Sr, who fought Chavez in 1992 but sadly passed away in 2012.
