^ I hear ya, Jim Schue, (love that handle BTW), but boxing attracts the same kind of people--those who think they are tough because their guy is good. This is especially true of the entourage of people that surround a boxer. Look at the people at weigh-ins and in the ring before and after the fight.

 

The one thing I liked about UFC in comparison to boxing was the respect that opponents showed one another in the ring and outside of the ring. This is changing as some of the guys are seeing that bragaociousness sells a fight. You got MacGregor who seems intent on disrespecting everyone and there was bad blood between Jones and DC. But for many of the opponents there is a mutual respect and that is fostered in martial arts.

 

My interest in MMA has been a guilty pleasure. I didn't want to like it because of the amount of blood and brutality involved--you have to admit that holding a man down and throwing elbows at his forehead is pretty brutal. But the level of competition between two guys, mano y mano (sp?), is compelling. I wrestled in high school and that is what I liked about the sport. It is you against the other guy and let the best man win. I enjoy the technical aspects of the sport. Everyone likes a good striking game but that can't guarantee a victory. You have to be good at other disciplines or you will get taken down and submitted. Action comes from so many angles and places. And the pace is something boxing cannot match.

 

That may be part of the appeal for a lot of people. Boxing goes for 10 rounds or more and the guys dance around the ring looking for an opening. For those who understand the offense and defense of pugilism, this can be entertaining but for the average person, you just want to see 'em mix it up. This is one reason Marciano is so loved. He didn't stand around and he didn't run. Vinny Panzianza was a guy who took it to 'em. Hagler in many of his fights was super aggressive. Hearns couldn't stand up to him. Those are some notable fights but in MMA you will see fights that exceed that action multiple times on every card.

 

One other thing, as a male, when watching most sports, I put myself in the game. I've played most of them either organized or for recreation. I can't really relate to boxing that well. It's a fighting sport, but nobody fights that way. A person fights more like an MMA match where you start out on your feet but it will probably go down to the ground at some point. That's much more like a real life scenario. I think people can relate to it on a more visceral level. Plus, it is easier to find a martial arts club than a boxing club in most areas. All kinds of people are taking up the sport. I don't think boxing will catch up again.

 

To be honest, I gave up on boxing a long time ago. Too boring these days. Nobody wants to watch the Klitschkos.

 

MMA didn't fill that void for me like it did a lot of folks. I've been left wandering ever since. I do still try to watch the Olympic boxing.

 

PS: Totally love that you dropped a Pazmanian Devil reference.

MMA is much more than a street fight. If anything, it takes far more skill than that of a Boxer.

 

A good MMA athlete trains daily in kick boxing, wrestling, jiu jitsu/judo, boxing, etc. These guys are the best FIGHTERS in the world.

FWIW, I like Boxing. I'll never pay $100 or whatever it cost to see Mayweather/Pacqiao but I do like the sport.

 

I can see the appeal of that for some. For me, one of the things that always made boxing great is the simplicity of it. Just 12 rules at its core.

I can see the appeal of that for some. For me, one of the things that always made boxing great is the simplicity of it. Just 12 rules at its core.

 

I like that too. Fundamentally a simple contest. From there, it's all about honing technique and figuring out those of your opponent.

 

But in the end, I'm just not inclined to watch it when it's on and the big contests are behind useless pay walls that I'll never bother with.

 

I think A.J. Liebling was right in his theory that two things happened in this country: 1) TV killed the local fight night that made it possible for no-name guys to make a living and 2) after WWII, it became easier to make a decent living without boxing so the young guys rarely stayed with it through the rough years of barely scratching out a living in local fights. Made it tough for boxing.

I like that too. Fundamentally a simple contest. From there, it's all about honing technique and figuring out those of your opponent.

 

But in the end, I'm just not inclined to watch it when it's on and the big contests are behind useless pay walls that I'll never bother with.

 

I think A.J. Liebling was right in his theory that two things happened in this country: 1) TV killed the local fight night that made it possible for no-name guys to make a living and 2) after WWII, it became easier to make a decent living without boxing so the young guys rarely stayed with it through the rough years of barely scratching out a living in local fights. Made it tough for boxing.

 

I would add 3) inner-city people found other, less brutal options to sports glory on the baseball/football fields and basketball courts. Nowadays, it seems like the only American boxers are dudes described as being "a young 35" because he's starting his boxing career after 15 years in the joint.

That's the biggest thing for me. I try to post and interact in MMA threads but there is no back in forth. Only result posting and bragging.

 

How many times can I like this post?

 

Heck, pvt message me next time, then we can have interaction.