Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anderson Silva ?

If you’re a boxing or MMA fan, then here’s some information to get excited about. The latest rumor has UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva on a possible collision course with multi-time boxing champ Roy Jones Jr. NBC Sports has reported that the two fighters have met to discuss the possibility.

According to Alan Hopper, PR guy for Don King Productions, “Roy likes the idea and is up for it. Roy will only agree if the match takes place under the rules of boxing, and the UFC would have to clear Silva’s participation.”

That means Silva would have to get the approval of both UFC bigwig Dana White and Keith Kizer, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. And while the fight would no doubt increase the visibility of both sports, one has to wonder if Dane White would allow his dominant champion to risk getting humbled in a match which heavily favors Jones?

The stipulation doesn’t seem to bother Silva, though. According to his manager, “We respect Jones' boxing ability and think he's one of the best, but we're tired of different boxers saying that MMA fighters aren't technical. Anderson would love to fight Roy Jones in a boxing match under boxing rules to prove that MMA fighters are technical, too.”

JONES VS. SILVA

While he’s past his prime, Jones has held titles in the middleweight, super middleweight, light heavyweight and heavyweight divisions. He currently holds the NABO and IBC light heavyweight belts.

The 39-year old fighter has a record of 52 wins and 4 losses, with his 3 legitimate losses coming in the last 6 fights of his career (nobody counts the DQ loss to Montell Griffin). His most recent fight was a unanimous decision win over Felix Trinidad.

Jones has wins over Bernard Hopkins, James Toney, Virgil Hill, Clinton Woods and John Ruiz.

Silva is the current UFC middleweight champion, and he’s on a 7 fight winning streak. He’s got a total MMA record of 21 wins and 4 losses, with 12 wins coming by knockout. He’s also fought in two professional boxing matches, racking up a record of 1-1.

Silva has wins over such MMA luminaries as Dan Henderson, Rich Franklin, Jeremy Horn and Carlos Newton.

SO WHO WOULD WIN?

If this were an MMA match, I would without a doubt pick Silva. But it’s not, so I’ve got to go with Jones. I’m betting that the gulf between a talented MMA boxer and a world champion boxer is still pretty darned wide.

Still, the only real way to settle this is in the ring, and fight fans across the globe are crossing their fingers.

BODOG ODDS

Never ones to be left out in the cold, Bodog is already offering odds on who would win this contest. If you like to bet on underdogs, then this fight is for you. Jones is a -2800 favorite, while Silva is currently a whopping +1400 underdog.

How in the world can you not lay some money on that one?!

For more from the world of sports betting, take a look at the following:

UFC 82 - Full Card and Bodog Odds

Cage Rage 21 Results

Roy Jones Jr. vs. Anderson Silva ?