ANDERSON SILVA'S "eligibility to compete" against Jake Paul will be reviewed TONIGHT after claims he was knocked out in sparring.
The pair are due to fight over eight rounds in Arizona this weekend.
But Silva, 47, caused concern after saying he was knocked out two times in training for the 187lb catchweight clash with Paul, 25.
The UFC legend – speaking at the open workout – has since clarified that it was just kidology and lost in translation.
But the Arizona commission have now thrown the fight into doubt by organising a meeting at 6.30pm local time to discuss the claims.
According to ESPN, Silva's “eligibility to compete” against Paul will be reviewed and so will "additional documentation submitted" by the Brazilian.
READ MORE IN BOXING
Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva: The 16 best free bets, bonuses and sign-up offers
Jake Paul arrives on HORSE for workout and vows to commence ‘war’ on Silva
Silva addressed the comments when speaking to media members just three days out from the fight.
He said: “Listen guys, let me tell you something very important.
"When I talk about the guys doing the hard sparring and the knockout, it was just joking.
"Because I’m training with the young kids and the guys asked me, and I don’t put nothing bad in my mind, and the guys say, ‘Oh, Anderson take knockout in training.’
Most read in Boxing
Benn gives up boxing licence as BBBofC council finds him guilty of misconduct
Eddie Hearn reveals why blockbuster Anthony Joshua & Tyson Fury fight fell apart
Brit boxing champ and 'strong swimmer' drowns while snorkelling in Australia
Wilder calls out AJ for blockbuster Wembley showdown with brutal KO vow
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
"Of course not. I just like to help and put my partners up, that’s the question.”
Silva made the controversial comments during an interview with MMA Weekly.
He said: “I’m training hard for win — I’m training with the good boxers, high-level, and five guys come to help me.
“And the last sparring with [my sparring partner], he is knocked me out two times, and when I finish my training, I talked to my coach and even said, ‘Coach, let me tell you something, why the guys knock me out two times?’
🥊 Jake Paul vs Anderson Silva: Ring walk time, live stream, TV channel, undercard for toughest test
"And the coach said, ‘You need to prepare for war, and you prepare for war.’”
Silva's trainer Luiz Carlos Dorea denied the comments and Silva later released a statement addressing the situation.
He wrote: “After seeing the reports and concern for me, I’d like to clarify two important things. One, I was NEVER knocked out in sparring.
"I misspoke in that interview as I sometimes do when interviewing in English and exaggerated the normal back-and-forth action that occurs in sparring.
Read More on The Sun
Man makes kid cry at Disney World by blocking her view but people are on HIS side
I’m plus-size & found the perfect jeans in the supermarket, they’re a steal
“Second, this sparring session I referenced was in early September.
"The interview with MMA Weekly was done on Sept. 13 and, for some reason, just released this week. So, it wasn’t recent.”
Source: Read Full Article
