After defeating Dan Henderson (Pictures) at UFC 82 in March, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva challenged former boxing champion Roy Jones Jr. to a match under boxing rules. "The Spider" recently explained to Sherdog.com how the idea emerged.

"The idea was mine," he said. "At the beginning, my managers thought that it was too complicated. But once they understood my point of view, they bought the idea, along with the UFC. And now our managers are talking to set the details. I am at a point in my career that I have to take the opportunity for new challenges."

Silva said Jones has accepted the challenge, and the Brazilian was careful to express his respect for the boxer.

"He had a fight to do in Germany, and I think that he may have thought it would be easier to face an MMA guy under boxing rules in his country." Silva said. "But whatever the reason, I am pleased that he has taken it seriously and is prepared to fight me. I want to make it very clear that I respect him a lot and I want to fight him because I do consider him a legend in sports. I do not want to prove anything in boxing. I just want to try and be able to make this fight."

Despite Silva's desire to box Jones and Jones' possible interest, the fight is not likely. According to Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer, UFC President Dana White has nixed the idea.

Still, Silva said if the fight does come together, he'd present a genuine challenge to the legendary boxer.

"It is logical that I do not have the same technical refinement in boxing as Roy Jones," Silva said. "But I've fought since I was a boy. I like to impose challenges on myself. I like boxing and I am training hard to give my best. The most that can happen to me is to be knocked out. But one thing I guarantee: It will not be an easy fight for him."