Brazilian boxing champion launches verbal attack on American opponent

Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), May 14 (Xinhua-ANI): Brazil's UFC world middleweight champion Anderson Silva has responded to provocation by his opponent Chael Sonnen by labelling the American a "frustrated man who has never won anything".

The pair will fight for the world title in Las Vegas on July 7, almost two years after Sonnen's fifth-round loss to the Brazilian in their only previous meeting.

"I feel sorry for him. He is a frustrated man," Silva told TV Globo on Sunday night. "He has never won anything in his life. The fight is going to be something else."

During a press conference to promote the event in Rio last month, the American said Silva's championship belt was "a fake" and belittled his humble upbringing in Brazil.

Silva, who has not lost a bout since January 2006, said his family had taken offence at Sonnen's remarks. (Xinhua-ANI)