Boxing vs MMA

Can we stop the argument that MMA is SO much better than Boxing. Every time a high profile Boxing match disappoints, MMA supporters jump at the chance to KO Boxing. Why? What does one sport have to do with the other? Why are MMA fans so against Boxing, and Boxing fans so against MMA?

This past weekend. Manny Pacquiao stepped into the ring against Shane Mosley. The fight turned out to be a bit disappointing in the eyes of most fans. Pacquiao hurt Mosley early, and Mosley ran for most of the fight. It happens. But that wasn't the only fight on the card. The three fights leading up to the main event were filled with action. I didn't hear a single MMA fan talk about the 12th round TKO of Vasquez by Jorge Arce. No one mentioned the 10 rounds of constant punches thrown in the Pavlik vs Lopez fight. If all people focus on is the main event, then why did so many people tune in to UFC 129? Georges St Pierre is a great fighter, one of the best. But his fights have become predictable, and boring to watch. He takes away his opponents biggest attribute, and stays out of harms way while out scoring him. MMA fans loved 129 because of how action packed the whole show was, not just the main event result. Why doesn't that logic apply for Boxing?

On the flip side, Boxing fans like to attack MMA for how violent it is. "MMA is just a bunch of barbarians beating the crap out of each other. There isn't any skill involved in MMA." What load of you know what! First of all, if MMA is too violent, then what the hell is Boxing? In MMA, if you get knocked down and are hurt, the referee will jump in and stop you from taking more punishment. In boxing, the referee gives you 10 seconds to get up, pretend like you're not hurt, and go back for more punishment. MMA has several different disciplines; Mui Tai, Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, Boxing, Grappling, all of which require a great deal of skill to be able to compete at an elite level. Boxing has just one, Boxing. Known as, "The Sweet Science," it can be a thing of beauty to watch. It is, however, just one discipline. Those who master it make it look effortless, but it shouldn't be regarded as a more difficult, or as a better skill than the ones MMA fighters have to learn.

The two sports have some similarities. They are both one-on-one contests. They both involve hand-to-hand combat. They are both violent! But that's where the similarities end. Why can't there be enough room for the two sports to co-exist without all of the trash talking?

I have been around Boxing since I was a kid. I wasn't introduced to MMA until I was 22 years old. I love them both. They each have their own flair. For all of their similarities, there are a million differences. Stop talking so much garbage, and take the time to look a little deeper into the other sport. You might like it.