Former UFC and MMA legend Chael Sonnen boxed MMA legend Anderson Silva in Brazil this weekend.
Their surprising trilogy took place under boxing rules. Ending in a draw.
Chael Sonnen’s Boxing Bombshells: Hype or Honest Opinion?
Sonnen said some absolutely off the wall stuff about boxing and legendary boxers in promotion of his boxing match with Silva:
“I don’t respect boxing. I don’t respect boxers. Show me a tough one. We all have to play on because Muhammad Ali is dead like he was a good boxer, he wasn’t a good boxer. We all have to play along like Mike Tyson was a good boxer, he’s not a good boxer. We have to play along with who’s this weirdo Usyk, and Tyson Fury, their not good boxers. These are idiots. Between the four of them none have ever even read a book.”
He added:
“I have written more books than the best boxers in history have read. Collectively.”
Wow. It’s hard to even begin to know how to respond to some of that.
Obviously some of that is for promotion for his own fight but the sheer disrespect of it will surely come back to Sonnen at some point.
Let’s recap Mr. Sonnen’s week this week.
Sonnen’s Controversial Statements
Leading up to the fight, Sonnen made headlines with his outspoken comments about boxing and some of its most legendary figures.
He proclaimed a lack of respect for boxing and boxers, dismissing the skills of Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, Tyson Fury, and Oleksandr Usyk.
Questioning Legends
Sonnen questioned the legacies of Ali and Tyson, claiming they weren’t “good boxers.”
He also dismissed the skills of current top heavyweights Fury and Usyk, calling them “idiots” who have never even read a book.
Promoting the Fight or Genuine Belief?
Sonnen’s controversial remarks sparked debate among fans and pundits.
Some believe his comments were simply a promotional tactic to generate hype for the fight, while others think he genuinely holds these opinions.
A History of Trash Talk
Sonnen is known for his outspoken personality and penchant for trash talk.
Throughout his MMA career, he used verbal jabs to get under the skin of his opponents and promote his fights.
This latest outburst could be seen as a continuation of that strategy, using controversy to attract attention to the boxing match.
Challenging the Status Quo
On the other hand, Sonnen’s comments could also be interpreted as a challenge to the established order in boxing.
By questioning the skills of some of the sport’s most revered figures, he could be attempting to shake up the traditional narrative and promote a different perspective on the sport.
In his own, strange way.
Sonnen has taken issue with the sport before but this weekend found himself competing in boxing. A bit of a contradiction from “The Bad Guy”.
Thoughts
Whether Sonnen’s comments are genuine or simply promotional tactics, they have undoubtedly generated significant talk around his boxing match with Silva.
The controversy has ignited discussions about the skills and legacies of legendary boxers, forcing fans to re-evaluate their perceptions of the sport.
In the end, only Sonnen knows the true motivation behind his words.
However, regardless of his intent, his outspokenness has certainly made the boxing world take notice of his foray into the squared circle.
Some real eyebrow raising stuff, and, the whole thing this weekend in boxing with Silva and Sonnen.
