JULIO CESAR CHAVEZ Jr has vowed to knock out MMA legend Anderson Silva in their upcoming crossover fight.

The former WBC middleweight champion will face the future UFC Hall-of-Famer in a boxing match on June 19.

Silva, 46, hasn't set foot inside the boxing ring in nearly 16 years but is confident of pulling off a huge upset.

But Chavez Jr insists the MMA great is being delusional.

The 35-year-old told TMZ: “[The Silva matchup] has all the ingredients to be an exciting fight.

"I predict I can finish him after the 3rd or 4th round. That's when I get in the groove and start feeling myself in the ring.”

The Mexican later added: “Look, I predict that after the 4th round I’ll be able to knock him out.

"And, if he lasts longer than that, that's gonna be his fault because that's gonna be a beating.”

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Chavez Jr is hoping a win over The Spider will kick start a run back to the big time and a rematch with unified super-middleweight king Canelo Alvarez.

He said: “Of course I want to have [a Canelo rematch] on my mind.

"That’s what makes this fight such a big deal for me. It’s gonna give me the opportunity to get these rematches with Canelo or Danny Jacobs.”

Chavez Jr suffered a unanimous decision defeat to the pound-for-pound king four years ago but is confident he has the style to beat his countryman.

He said: “I think that I do have the style to win the [Canelo] fight because I attack. I try to not give him too much space to move around because he’s a great boxer.

"I just think it’ll be a better fight, but yes, I think I could beat Canelo. I’m thinking I have to get past Silva more than anything first.

"After Silva, I’m thinking 1 more fight, then I'll be prepared to face Canelo.”

Silva – who was released by the UFC last November – is relishing his return to the squared circle.

He said: I'm working hard and I'm going to put my heart into this fight.

"I know it's tough because boxing is different. I've never fought in this same level in boxing but I'm preparing my mind, I'm preparing my body."

"The secret I think for me is how much you love doing this and I love it a lot.

He added: "I'm very excited because Julio Cesar Chavez is a legend in this sport and for me, I'm on the same card for this legend?! … I'm happy!"

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