| For the last few years, you might have thought that | | | | proof that boxing matches are not staged? These |
| the sport of boxing had gone into hiding, or simply | | | | people have exactly as much proof as I do that the |
| retired altogether to be replaced by MMA De La Hoya | | | | sport in question is a sham (none!). This argument gets |
| and Merryweather came along to try to breathe new | | | | no one anywhere. |
| life into their sport; while I can't yet say what this will | | | | Having gone over the downsides, let's move on to the |
| mean for the future of boxing, I do know that my | | | | positives. The positives are also easy enough to |
| generation and the generations which will follow will | | | | explain. As a way to illustrate the question of boxing |
| certainly prefer MMA over boxing. | | | | versus MMA, consider the analogy of pizza. Someone |
| The question of the popularity of the two sports as | | | | decided to do something very smart by adding tomato |
| compared to each other is largely generational. | | | | sauce and cheese to bread. However, there is always |
| Younger generations prefer MMA, while the older set | | | | someone smart enough to improve on your idea, no |
| is in favor of boxing. The following generations are also | | | | matter how good it may be. So someone came along |
| going to prefer MMA - because to put it simply, it is a | | | | later and added onions and olives to this pizza, making |
| better sport and has more to offer the fans. | | | | a good thing even better. |
| So why is MMA better than boxing? I'll explain by | | | | If boxing is like the pizza, MMA is like that next step - |
| starting with the negatives of both sports - the | | | | this is a sport which can offer everything which boxing |
| negatives are actually the same for each, so it's simple. | | | | can and much more besides. MMA takes boxing as a |
| Those who prefer boxing to MMA call MMA barbaric. | | | | starting off point and adds elements from jujitsu, |
| This perception comes largely from not knowing about | | | | kickboxing and wrestling. While boxing is a sport which |
| the sport and being unaware of the rules of MMA. | | | | needs a lot of strategy, MMA is even more so. With |
| Just like boxing, low blows, gouges, pokes and other | | | | so many different fighting styles in play in any given |
| dirty moves are disallowed. I ask you is MMA really so | | | | match, fighters have even more to consider and to |
| barbaric? Boxers punch each other in the face too - | | | | anticipate. Is their opponent a master of the |
| the difference is that MMA adds wrestling moves to | | | | takedown? Are they weak in the boxing department? |
| the equation; is that really what pushes it over the | | | | How is their defense? While boxers need to know the |
| edge, or is it just a matter of taste? This is specious | | | | boxing style, MMA fighters need to know how their |
| reasoning for sure. If MMA is barbaric, then so is | | | | opponent employs many different fighting styles. |
| boxing. | | | | The cards for MMA events are also superior to those |
| Another argument made is that the promotional tactics | | | | offered by most boxing events. A boxing card may |
| used by MMA are ludicrous. True, there is plenty of | | | | only have one match of interest (this is usually the |
| pre-game trash talk between the fighters. Many | | | | case) - the main event itself. The price is also far |
| compare these promos to those used for professional | | | | higher than is an MMA event. A ticket for a big boxing |
| wrestling matches. However, exactly this kind of | | | | event can run as high as $2,500 r $55 on PPV. By |
| promotion is done for boxing as well. Remember | | | | contrast, even the most expensive seats at a MMA |
| Muhammad Ali? He had a trash talking game which | | | | event are no more than $750 and usually $40 or less |
| would put any pro wrestler to shame. It's hard to make | | | | on PPV. There will also be three or four good matches |
| the claim that MMA is silly when boxers do just the | | | | per event. |
| same as MMA fighters. | | | | MMA takes boxing a step further and offers much |
| Some boxing fans will also tell you that like professional | | | | more entertainment value to fans, With its lower price, |
| wrestling, MMA matches are staged. I answer this | | | | bigger number of stars and greater thrills, it is sure to |
| claim with these two questions - Do you have proof | | | | continue its popularity over boxing with future |
| that MMA matches are staged? Do you have any | | | | generations. |