Anderson Silva (34-11 MMA, 1-1 boxing) is wrapping his hands for an imminent sparring session at his Spider Kick gym in Los Angeles. Contrary to the 46-year-old Brazilian's reputation as one of the most lethal strikers in MMA history, the session will not include any of the kicks, elbows or knee strikes that made him famous.
Instead, Silva will be focused exclusively on his hands—the lone weapons he'll brandish in his June 19 boxing match with the amply more experienced Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. (52-5-1 boxing).
It's a momentous challenge for Silva, who, despite being a 10-time UFC middleweight champion, is a tough 1-7 across the eight fights that bookended his time with the MMA promotion.