Boxing's Background

Once upon a time boxing was the ultimate test of manhood. Immigrant and ethnic groups championed their contenders and the Golden Gloves were a coveted ticket to hold on to. Much has changed, but boxing is not yet dead. That said, the ‘sweet science’ is rapidly losing its fans to MMA. Could this be because boxing has not kept up with the style and glitz of MMA events like the UFC, or because a new generation of fans and sportsmen demand more? If one goes to a boxing match and then a UFC match the difference is evident. The extravaganza of the in-between fight shows, lights and music are drastically different for the consumer. On this front MMA definitely wins over boxing. But fans will go a long way to see a fight. Perhaps it is because the boxing leagues became too intricate and difficult for the fans to keep up with? Who has what belt, why is that one vacant etc…? Well, the same could be true of MMA, especially in Japan and America where, despite Pride and the UFC holding firm dominance, a multitude of other organizations still exist. Given the above, boxing’s demise probably has more to do with a new generation of fight fan/practitioners who are both consumers and competitors of the sport.

Boxing in MMA

To be sure mixed martial arts practitioners have become more educated over the years. After all, who in the 1970s had ever heard of Muay Thai? These days, martial arts and fight consumers have a world of styles to choose from. Globalization has thus amalgamated them all and cross-training is the road to competitive success. That private gyms have mimicked this is no surprise. After all, apart from a few die-hards, submission-style wrestling was unheard of in North America twenty years ago. Watch any UFC match-up today and you can hear the fans anticipate an arm-bar or mount. The same is not true for boxing. Boxing is easier to understand. Two men stand in a ring and punch each other above the belt. If one does not get up after a count of ten he is out. If one punches better (according to the refs) after a series of rounds than he wins. That many of MMA’s fans are also practitioners of the sport, speaks to the heart of why it is so popular. The intricate knowledge of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu, grappling and boxing requires a new disciplined type of fan who not only enjoys the fight, but enjoys the knowledge behind the fight. For this reason they will stay up to date with the fighters as well as the sport itself.

Boxing's Future

Boxing will always have its fans. Indeed, MMA viewers know that any decent fighter spends serious hours training on his feet in the striking game. For this reason alone boxing will never die. Fighters will always need boxing coaches and people will always go to boxing gyms for fitness. That Dana White was once a boxing gym owner rationalizes the cross-appeal of MMA. That said, boxing will likely continue its free fall as MMA continues to surge in popularity. Boxing’s future? A part of MMA.