subject: Is MMA Better Than Boxing? [print this page] Is MMA Better Than Boxing? Is MMA Better Than Boxing?
Diehard fans of combat sports such as boxing and MMA were able to start this decade by watching the classic trilogy between Arturo Gatti and Mickey Ward. Now, 10 years later, the combat sports enthusiasts have turned their attention to the octagon as George St. Pierre and Jake Shields are about to make history in Toronto, at UFC 129. In the middle of last year, combat sport purists believe that a changing of the guard took place, when washed up boxer James Toney was defeated in the octagon, by over the hill MMA god father, Randy Couture. With that in mind, we pose the question, is MMA better than boxing?
To say MMA is better than boxing, would be the same as saying the chicken came before the egg, it is an argument based on opinion. Since the Gatti v Ward trilogy that allowed boxing purists to reconnect with their love of the sport, the MMA has taken over most of the spotlight. While each combat sport runs an event every month, it seems like more people in the age bracket of 18 to 24 are following the MMA.
Boxing, also known as the sweet science, has become a sport associated with what your father and uncles used to watch growing up. Conversely, MMA, which incorporates not only boxing, but kick boxing and martial arts, appears to be appealing to many people in the aforementioned age bracket. What's more, it also helps the MMA, that it was created essentially during the time that boxing was in its darkest days. With the alleged fixed fight scandals of the late 1980s to early 1990s, the MMA provided boxing fans with the option of watching something pure. In a fight where two combatants literally beat the crap out of each other, it can't be rigged, can it?
Furthermore, over the last few years, it appears there is more politics attached to boxing than there is to using democracy in a third world country. Meaning to say, while fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather cheat their fans out of a dream matchup, the MMA leagues and most importantly the UFC will be here every month giving fans what they've always wished for.
