What's better: Boxing or mixed martial arts?
This is a topic has been gently danced around for years.
For the most part, MMA types have expressed nothing but respect for boxing, as it is one of the base components of their sport and boasts a rich history.
Boxing types have largely responded with disdain. Promoters have referred to MMA as "trash," boxers have disrespected MMA fighters' skills, and hack boxing writers too lazy to learn anything new have attempted to brush off the subject, since it wasn't what they grew up with in 1923.
But things reached have reached a boiling point over the past week. Floyd Mayweather Jr. was quoted as saying "UFC ain't s--,. It ain't but a fad. Anyone can put a tattoo on their head and get in a street fight. We should put Liddell against a good heavyweight, under Mayweather Promotions, and if Chuck wins, then I'll give him a million dollars out of my own pocket. These are guys who couldn't make it in boxing."
UFC president Dana White shot back: "He says he wants to pay Chuck Liddell a million dollars to fight with a heavyweight boxer and see if he'll last. How about this? How about we pay Floyd a million dollars to fight MMA and see how long he lasts. Or even better ... I'll give him a million dollars of my own money if he boxes anyone other than Oscar (De La Hoya) and more than 10 people buy tickets."
Many fans have already checked in with their take on this throwdown. Here's a sampling of comments from the FOXSports.com MMA blog, some of which have been edited for grammar:
Honestly I think that some MMA fighters would fare much better in boxing then any boxer would in MMA. Again not all MMA fighters but some. Those guys definitely have much more heart then most boxers. Most boxers like Floyd just got big ass mouths. Props to Floyd for what he does in the ring can't take anything away from him but don't speak of something you know nothing bout.
By the way why you guys hating on Dana White for the guy used to be a boxing trainer. He saw the UFC and had ideas and ways to make it better and he did. Props to him for what he did. Dude has got to stick up for what he created.
So what do you think? Many fans have correctly pointed out that boxing and MMA are two different sports and it is like comparing apples and oranges. But if you could only watch one, which would you watch?