Antonio Silva drawing interest from Sengoku but contract not close to being finalized
November 13, 2008 by Sam Caplan
FiveOuncesOfPain.com has confirmed that EliteXC heavyweight champion Antonio Silva is drawing strong interest from World Victory Road’s Japan-based Sengoku promotion. The news was verified Thursday afternoon following an exclusive interview with Silva’s manager, Alex Davis.
Davis was contacted in response to a report that appeared on the Brazilian MMA website Tatame.com, which is stating that Silva is “close to signing with Sengoku.”
While speaking with Davis, he indicated that he did not agree with Tatame’s characterization of contract negoations. Confirming that Silva has indeed been contacted by Sengoku, Davis was quick to add that a finalized agreement is not yet imminent.
Davis also stated that several issues must be carefully considered before Silva’s camp can decide whether it will move forward with a new promotion. The most notable concern on the table is how they want to proceed in the wake of Silva’s one-year suspension handed down by the California State Athletic Commission.
CSAC announced in August that Silva had been suspended for a year and fined $2,500 after testing positive for boldenone following his July 26 title victory against Justin Eilers during EliteXC’s “Unfinished Business” event in Stockton, Calif. Boldenone is an anabolic steroid commonly used on racehorses. Silva has denied CSAC’s claim and appealed the fine and suspension. However, the suspension was upheld following an Oct. 22 appeal hearing.
Silva also has a restricted non-exclusive contract with ProElite, in which premium-cable provider Showtime claims it will auction off on Nov. 17 in response to ProElite’s default of a prior loan agreement.
Isn’t it risky to fight in Japan when you’re suspended in the US? It seems like fighters that have done this in the past have either been denied a license in the US after their suspension is up or they have a hard time obtaining one immediately.
Jason G: Yeah it is risky. And I guess, that is exactly what they meant by “several issues must be carefully considered”
Jason G you’re right the reason it’s harder for people to get reinstated who have gone overseas and fought once their suspended is because the athletic commission right or wrong holds that against them because technically they haven’t served a years suspension.