Jake Paul said Anderson Silva 's demeanour changed after their press conference when the pair faced off for the first time.
Paul, 25, looks for his sixth professional win on October 29 when he challenges UFC legend, Silva, over eight rounds at the Gila River Arena in Phoenix. The pair came face-to-face ahead of their fight at a press conference earlier this week and Paul said he was taken back by how serious Silva was during their staredown having been jovial during whilst answering questions onstage.
"All the fun of it aside, when we got into the face-off you see a different Anderson Silva than the one who is there up onstage having a jolly time." he told ESPN. "That's 'The Spider' Anderson that I saw in that face-off and you can tell he's got that killer in him, 100 per cent. It was weird but it felt right, it was felt like this was destined to happen. It was a surreal moment for sure, I never thought I'd be here and I'd be fighting one of my idols."
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"It all comes down to the opponent, I didn't have respect for my [past] opponents as they came in talking and all of them were the ones who called me out. For me that press conference was the most fun yet, it was cool to just be up there and to be chill as when things get hostile I sort of have to get hostile as well."
For the first time in his short-lived boxing career, Paul is giving up a size advantage having previously towered over most of his past opponents. Silva parted ways with the UFC two years ago after establishing himself as one of the greatest fighters to ever step foot in the octagon, holding the record for the longest title reign in UFC history. Despite Silva not being an 'actual boxer', Paul said the 47-year-old is the most skilled pugilist he's faced so far.
"I think he's the definitely the most skilled boxer I'm going up against yet and he just beat a former world champion Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, schooled him for eight rounds," he added. "If I was to fight him, people would be like 'oh finally he's fighting a former world champion pro boxer' but guess what? Anderson beat the s*** out of the dude. He has so much experience, he's been on the big stage so many times, so it's not going to affect. What's great about this fight is, whoever has the most skill will win."
