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:
The great thing about MMA is that the underdog always has a chance anything can happen and its much more exciting, little #### with some of the guys that where the tigthy whiteys but hey whatever works for them, I'd never say that to Mirko Cro Cop's face.
Boxing is a far superior sport to mma. ufc is like watching two drunks in a bar fight. could any MMA heavy weight stand a chance against Klitschko? Any MMA middleweight go a round with Jermaine Taylor? Mayweather would make a mma champ look like a fool. I have competed in both the arts of wrestling and boxing, and the skilled glove is mightier than the takedown.
Of course Floyd Mayweather is gonna "call out" the UFC. Boxing has become a laughingstock in American sports entertainment. He has no choice but to create animosity or controversy to get noticed. MMA and in particular, the UFC is not only surviving, but thriving. It represents what people want to pay their hard earned money to watch. That is; exciting, fast-paced, and multi-dimension.
I enjoy watching both sports. UFC has its warriors just like boxing. But, Mayweather does not fall into the warrior category (in my opinion). He's a runner. The day i see Mayweather stand in the middle of the ring and battle it out with a "WORTHY" opponent, like the true boxing warriors of the past, maybe then i might listen to his loud mouth. But for now he's just blowing hot air. Mayweather! u don't impress me like a Chuck Liddell does. He stands TOE TO TOE, you don't, you dance around the ring.
No offense but boxing is a washed up sport. It is a thing of the past. There is only a few fighters out there worth watching right now. MMA hands down takes the cake. If you want to hear about popularity tell me when have you ever seen a packed house for pre-cards at a boxing event...never.
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 #### 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?
This is FOXSports.com 's official mixed martial arts blog, maintained by FOXSports.com editor Dave Doyle, the first reporter to cover MMA on a regular basis for a mainstream national sports media site.
