MMA taking away from Boxing?

[JKDBrando]

I for 1 watched the Hatton vs Mayweather. The fight was exciting and the personalities made it fun. The first 3 fights were baloni and didn't hold our attention at all. We cheered when they were over because it was one fight closer to the main event.

However we watch the ufc bouts afterwards and the house was ecstatic and the basic consensus was this awsome so much better and more exciting then boxing.

Maybe its time to let exteme boxing take place. Extra long clinches, elbow blows and throw downs. Now that would be fun.

[bodhisattva]

Originally Posted by A-Zo

It seems as though the likes of organizations like the UFC are rapidly becoming the new "Fight Sport". Boxing's revenue is down, their pay-per-view profits are already far less than UFC fights, and the sport seems to be lacking any major all-stars (with few exceptions). This Mayweather vs Hatton fight may be one of the better ones as of late, and does the sport need to make any changes to compete?

What are your opinions?

I don't think so. I think boxing was suffering long before MMA came out.

Lots of people remember when a boxer had to "fight his way up the ranks." In other words, if you wanted a chance to fight the number 1 in your weight class, you were going to defeat numbers 3 and 2 first.

Now, fighters can get fights through their connections. It is like anything else in the world - you can have lots of talent, but no connections, and not make it.

I think that, along with the rest of the corruption, caused a massive loss of interest in boxing.

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Then MMA came out. First it was "martial art VS martial art" and dominated on the ground. Then everyone learned the ground, and there were more standing knockouts. And we're all pretty used to a well rounded game as a result.

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but now, I find boxing interesting again. After seeing fighting at all ranges with all games included, I find it interesting to isolate the striking. It's cool to see "simple" boxing again.

I think MMA probably renewed my interest in watching boxing competition when it had long ago declined.

I think it is time for some of the greats of boxing to come into the unlimited ring, though. I don't believe they ever will - they have too much to lose. But I think a couple of good matchups would renew the national interest in boxing.