| Is boxing losing popularity due to the rise of mixed | | | | as the popularity grows. |
| martial arts? In my opinion, the answer is a resounding | | | | Fighters are cut from the same cloth, right? This is not |
| no. The reasons are simple - both sports are very | | | | true, when it comes to boxing and MMA. Today, |
| different, have different core audiences, and have | | | | boxing's best and brightest stars still come largely from |
| different talent pools. | | | | depressed or hard-scrabble communities, both rural |
| For all of their superficial similarities - punches thrown, | | | | and urban, as has been the case for decades. The |
| gloves worn, and often violent conclusions, boxing and | | | | only difference now is that many of the top fighters |
| MMA are each fought under disparate sets of rules. In | | | | come from countries across the globe, as many |
| boxing, fighters use their hands punches only) as | | | | Americans from humble beginnings no longer see |
| weapons, fight three-minute rounds, and can only fight | | | | boxing as their "athletic path to success." As a result, |
| for a maximum of 12 rounds based on the unified rules | | | | you are just as likely to see a Ring champion crowned |
| of boxing commissions. In MMA, fighters can use their | | | | from such fertile boxing soil as Cuba or the Ukraine - |
| hands (punches and grappling) and legs (kicks and | | | | foreign lands where boxing is still a pastime and many |
| grappling) as weapons, fight five-minute rounds, and | | | | of its citizens still view the sweet science as an |
| can only fight a maximum of five rounds based on | | | | "athletic path to success." While it would appear that |
| ultimate championship fighting rules. The rules could not | | | | becoming an MMA fighter is a decision that is driven |
| be any more different. | | | | by similar (limited) opportunities that push many men to |
| Although both boxing and MMA have a similar appeal | | | | become boxers, the reality is far different. Many |
| based on the combative nature of each sport and | | | | practitioners of MMA are former college wrestlers, |
| both attract largely male demographics, they have | | | | globetrotting martial artists, or former well-paid |
| very distinct core audiences. In recent years, boxing | | | | professional wrestlers, who often have college |
| has become more of a niche sport - supported by | | | | degrees and other career options which belie their |
| communities and countries where the sport is a | | | | profession. |
| pastime (e.g. Mexico, the Philippines and Puerto Rico) | | | | As you can see, comparing boxing to MMA is |
| and dedicated die-hards like me who have continued | | | | understandable on the surface, but downright silly upon |
| to follow the sport despite its declining national | | | | further inspection. To the untrained eye, boxing and |
| popularity. MMA, on the other hand, is supported by a | | | | MMA are eerily similar sports on a collision course for |
| mixed bag of sorts. While it does have its share of | | | | the hearts and minds of fight fans everywhere. |
| "boxing defectors," MMA's audience is a hodgepodge | | | | However, I do not see it that way. In fact, I think this |
| of fans of martial arts, kick-boxing, and even, so-called | | | | ongoing debate will only lead to the increased |
| "professional wrestling." Right now, the fan base is also | | | | popularity of both sports. |
| not as diverse as boxing's, but that will surely change | | | | |