Because there's no other sport where you can see a human being's ability, truly tested. You can't see a guy get knocked down, and then get up and finish the job, retailiating on his attacker, in any other sport. It is a true display of the human spirit. Nothing can match boxing. You can see someone's entire demeanor, what they're made of, where they came from...their personalities, etc...in a match...I have plenty of respect for MMA and watch all the MMA matches too, because I'm a fan of any kind of combat 1 on 1 contact sport!!! But.........
One cannot deny how beautiful it is to witness a true world-level boxing title bout! 12 rounds of action from two guys who trained their whole lives for the moment!!! Nothing is more exciting!!! NOTHING!!! Sometimes, I think maybe I am scarred for having a dream that seems such a tough road to climb...
The pro world is such a tough place...
but I wouldn't have it any other way..........................................
I love Boxing, but I don't get too hung up on it. I'm heavily into other sports as well, I just don't try to shit on others to try to put Boxing over any other sport that also has a rich history (which I've seen some of you do...smh).
But Yea, Boxing is great
Yeah, but that applies to basically all combat sports. So why are you a boxing fan and not an MMA or karate fan?
Aside from it being the first thing I ever saw that was true combat, my father idolized George Foreman for doing what he did at his age, and the way he packaged himself. What I didn't get, was that even though my dad wasn't a Boxing fan, he would always watch Big George...I think Big George was my dad's hero in a funny kind of way, ya know? My pops was around Big George's same age when he made that awesome comeback. I'm a logical person, Michael Moorer was not a strong, bonafied true champion. I think he lacked alot of things mentally to reign on top, that stemmed from his childhood. That's just my personal opinion. I know, for sure, if today's Wladimir Klitschko would've been in Moorer's position, George would've definately had a rougher time. Or, who knows, maybe he would have got in a good one and shattered that questionable jaw of Klitschko! This is another great thing about Boxing on the world level...you cannot accurately predict what will happen...Years ago, when Toney fought Ruiz, so many people lost money because they bet the farm on Toney, and the goddamn fight ended up as a draw! You simply never know what will happen.
I'm sure MMA may be the same in certain aspects in terms of the great unknown, but to better answer the post...
A man who climbs a mountain may be respected, but not as respected (and remembered) as the man who climbs an immense mountain, having to camp out in a cave for a night to survive. Any MMA fan will admit it. "Boxing is more damaging to the brain" is what the hardcore MMAer loves to spit out... It's basically impossible to get into a title bout and not take some good shots. It's only logical. In mixed martial arts, you have so many options to strike your opponent, and things to do...There is a multitude of different things, so when a MMAer trains, they have to sort of become a jack of all trades in a sense, with the exception of a few truly great grapplers such as Royce Gracie, my personal favorite...see, he made the decision to just be great at one thing, grappling, and it took him a very long way...a boxer makes the decision to get great with two fists. With two fists, a boxer works his entire life at becoming adept with them, to display them to the world, much like a writer with a book, or an artist with a painting. They all are creative artists, the boxer, the mmaer, the painter, and the writer...they all stand alone, to display their skill...
But... Boxing is riskier. I wouldn't have it any other way.
does it really happen that often? haha
i had sat through a few cards at friends' houses over the years from time to time and out of majority of the fights i seen i got bored halfway through the round as they would end up on the ground trying to wrestle each other for minutes on end at times without anyone really accomplishing anything.
it just seemed boring to me but the annoucners were all into it.
no diss though. i just dont watch it.
...and in no other sport will fans call warriors pussies and quiters....but on the real u guys all said it.in no other sport does it end with a split second..mma isnt a sport but a bar fight by the way..i cant explain it in words what it means to me and other fans on here
I'm not gonna lie, I watch mma as much as I can. I am a boxer, however, and the world title is my goal. But...
I watch it out of respect for one, and two, I think it's important for any boxer to see as many fights as possible, of any kind... Boxing matches, boxing title bouts, amateur shit, mma stuff, anything...even wrestling, olympic style...
If you see enough fights, whether they be boxing, mma, muay thai, whatever..You learn to predict certain things about the guys fighting...it's in their spirit and their eyes, their demeanor...I didn't get it when I first started watching boxing and other combat sports...it is very hard to explain and put into words, but once you see enough bouts of all types, you can learn what to expect from certain styles combined with certain types of people.....people's bodies...there's an old addage, that a coward cannot build a body of stone...I believe in that 100%...you can never underestimate a man in peak physical condition...
But like I said, I just watch it because it's a fight. It's either that, or some bullshit on HBO like deadwood, I chose to watch a fight. I don't like the fact that showtime has a mma series going on, but I watch it anyway. Why? Because it's a fight.....like I said before, if you love boxing and wanna make it as a pro, you need to be watching as much fighting as possible...boxing is the best thing for a boxer to watch, of course...but it's good to see other combat sports as well...
Do I like it when it becomes a clinchfest on the ground with bullshit pittypat shots thrown from each guy, no...do I like it when a guy is forced to tap (quit) otherwise get his little pinky broken..no...but...
There are plenty of mma matches where it began and ended with standup...and these are worth watching for boxers, especially the matches where a guy with boxing experience ends it early with a combination of textbook traditional boxing maneuvers! Here is a great example!...
They both came out and feinted, the guy with boxing experience did the right thing and attacked after the third or fourth feint, and just 'was first' ....very important to always be first, very basic rule...and basically ended the match with a 1,2,3 ...and the left hook was wide and ugly but it's what put Arlov on queer street, because it came from nowhere (to him) it came out of his periperal vision and then just bang...didn't see it coming, he had no idea where the hell he was after he took that shot. I believe that black guy is 10-0, but his physical condition always looks substandard...he'll get his ass kicked sooner or later if you ask me, he's making a living fighting and always comes in looking like shit. (His physical condition.)
Castillo - Corrales I was a great bout, and with great bouts comes great tragedy alot of times. I think it was no accident Corrales' death after that bout. I am certain Corrales' wife didn't get back the same Diego after he went up against Casillo, not the second time, but that first time...
You only see bouts like that once every ten, twenty years...I had the pleasure of seeing it live...and it was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen...skill, will, courage, determination to continue and fight onward, remembering one's goals...the fight had it all, and it was like they were having their own conversation, but with eye contact and punches, instead of paragraphs verbally spat out.
Yeah, after that bout, neither man was the same in my opinion. There was just too much goddamn damage on each guy, but man, what a fight. What a fight.....! And what people don't understand, is...
We should be so lucky, as Corrales. He may be dead, and that fight may have taken a piece of him...but he left a piece of himself for every boxing fan to remember with that first fight with Castillo. That fight will never, ever be forgotten...hundreds of years from now, people will still be talking about it, while the average man is forgotten about less than 25-30 years after his death, except by his immediate family. Corrales lived a true dream, enjoyed life, and will be remembered!!!!!!!!!!!!!We all should wish to be as lucky as him in that aspect!!!!!!
...and in no other sport will fans call warriors pussies and quiters....but on the real u guys all said it.in no other sport does it end with a split second..mma isnt a sport but a bar fight by the way..i cant explain it in words what it means to me and other fans on here
does it really happen that often? haha
i had sat through a few cards at friends' houses over the years from time to time and out of majority of the fights i seen i got bored halfway through the round as they would end up on the ground trying to wrestle each other for minutes on end at times without anyone really accomplishing anything.
it just seemed boring to me but the annoucners were all into it.
no diss though. i just dont watch it.
I hate to sound offensive to mma fans....but..
Likewise.....
If it makes you feel any better, the only part I truly enjoy about MMA is when I see a guy get taken out with a traditional boxing punch. Haha :)
does it really happen that often? haha
i had sat through a few cards at friends' houses over the years from time to time and out of majority of the fights i seen i got bored halfway through the round as they would end up on the ground trying to wrestle each other for minutes on end at times without anyone really accomplishing anything.
it just seemed boring to me but the annoucners were all into it.
no diss though. i just dont watch it.
i have to agree with the threadstarter (except the MMA part...i dont like that sport; no offense to the fans of it...i can respect the fighters for doing what they do but i dont enjoy watching it).
Boxing is a very beautiful and tragic sport all at the same time.
You hear these great stories of guys who came from nothing and made something of themselves...went from being dirt poor to filthy rich and did while earning all the respect in the world of the fans.
Think of guys like Joe Louis, Jack Johnson, Bernard Hopkins, even victor ortiz (no joke on that one).
those are examples of fighters who are/were extremely brave for what they've done outside of the ring and inside it.
You have Jack Johnson who had it rough in the sport (back in the early 1900's when racism ruled his life in and out of the ring) he braved through it and continued to win despite being hated by the whites of that time who threatened to kill him. thats bravery.
You have Joe Louis who fought majority of his life; served in the military, and even tried to pay back the "debt" the U.S. refused to waive even after his commitment to the U.S. in WWII. the guy fought till he was what? 50? a truly sad story that such a great man had to live such a hard life when he didnt deserve that type of abuse from the government of the country he loved and respected so much.
you have hopkins who came from life on the streets of philly to one of the greatest middleweight champions in the history of the sport...certainly the greatest of this era (if you ask my vote).
you have victor ortiz (and anyone who saw his fight with Maidana knows his life story by now).
all truly great stories.
Then you have the rough warriors of the ring. guys respected so much just based off what they did in the ring. Guys like Arturo Gatti who slugged it out fiercely with mickey ward in several fights...including the one of the greatest rounds in the trilogy that occured in the 9th round of the first fight.
Gatti fought himself to the point of exhaustion to where he couldnt even tie ward up or keep his guard up he was so tired and he still found the strength and courage to fight back.
You got a truly remarkable hero of a fighter in diego corrales (rip) who fought one of the greatest rounds/fights in the past 25 years in the 10th round of their first meeting by getting off the ground two times and stopping castillo in that very round. it was a truly beautiful moment in the sport and since his passing i find that round to make me so happy and sad at the same time.
He truly gave his all and no one should be allowed to question his heart...not just from that fight but also begging to continue against mayweather who dropped him 5 times in their fight...he still believed he could win.
no matter the odds he believed he could do it if given the chance...
i swear the words, "give me one more round" haunt me sometimes...its sad someone so brave had to die so young.
These guys are heros and should be role models to the people around the world.
i dont think these things about Payton Manning or Derek Jeter, etc.
every pro athlete is a good/great competitor but boxing is a whole other level of greatness and courage. it shows you really can come from nothing and be something. boxing can show your true heart.
in all sports you have someone to pass the blame on or rely on when needed. football has 11 players on the field at once...baseball has 9...basketball has 5 and so on...
in boxing its just you and the guy across from you and the gloves you're wearing. sure you have a corner who is extremely important in the behind the scenes training and advice/gameplans but ultimately once that bell rings its just you and the other guy.
boxing is a truly beautiful sport in many many many ways and its my absolute favorite sport. period.
If it makes you feel any better, the only part I truly enjoy about MMA is when I see a guy get taken out with a traditional boxing punch. Haha :)
the only thing were can control in life is our attitude.
attitude is the most important aspect of life, aside from timing. without a positive attitude, you're headed for a downfall. I think discipline is the next most important attribute behind attitude...far behind discipline lies the basics, speed power and stamina...but attitude and discipline are the true cookie cutters...........
i have to agree with the threadstarter (except the MMA part...i dont like that sport; no offense to the fans of it...i can respect the fighters for doing what they do but i dont enjoy watching it).
Boxing is a very beautiful and tragic sport all at the same time.
You hear these great stories of guys who came from nothing and made something of themselves...went from being dirt poor to filthy rich and did while earning all the respect in the world of the fans.
Think of guys like Joe Louis, Jack Johnson, Bernard Hopkins, even victor ortiz (no joke on that one).
those are examples of fighters who are/were extremely brave for what they've done outside of the ring and inside it.
You have Jack Johnson who had it rough in the sport (back in the early 1900's when racism ruled his life in and out of the ring) he braved through it and continued to win despite being hated by the whites of that time who threatened to kill him. thats bravery.
You have Joe Louis who fought majority of his life; served in the military, and even tried to pay back the "debt" the U.S. refused to waive even after his commitment to the U.S. in WWII. the guy fought till he was what? 50? a truly sad story that such a great man had to live such a hard life when he didnt deserve that type of abuse from the government of the country he loved and respected so much.
you have hopkins who came from life on the streets of philly to one of the greatest middleweight champions in the history of the sport...certainly the greatest of this era (if you ask my vote).
you have victor ortiz (and anyone who saw his fight with Maidana knows his life story by now).
all truly great stories.
Then you have the rough warriors of the ring. guys respected so much just based off what they did in the ring. Guys like Arturo Gatti who slugged it out fiercely with mickey ward in several fights...including the one of the greatest rounds in the trilogy that occured in the 9th round of the first fight.
Gatti fought himself to the point of exhaustion to where he couldnt even tie ward up or keep his guard up he was so tired and he still found the strength and courage to fight back.
You got a truly remarkable hero of a fighter in diego corrales (rip) who fought one of the greatest rounds/fights in the past 25 years in the 10th round of their first meeting by getting off the ground two times and stopping castillo in that very round. it was a truly beautiful moment in the sport and since his passing i find that round to make me so happy and sad at the same time.
He truly gave his all and no one should be allowed to question his heart...not just from that fight but also begging to continue against mayweather who dropped him 5 times in their fight...he still believed he could win.
no matter the odds he believed he could do it if given the chance...
i swear the words, "give me one more round" haunt me sometimes...its sad someone so brave had to die so young.
These guys are heros and should be role models to the people around the world.
i dont think these things about Payton Manning or Derek Jeter, etc.
every pro athlete is a good/great competitor but boxing is a whole other level of greatness and courage. it shows you really can come from nothing and be something. boxing can show your true heart.
in all sports you have someone to pass the blame on or rely on when needed. football has 11 players on the field at once...baseball has 9...basketball has 5 and so on...
in boxing its just you and the guy across from you and the gloves you're wearing. sure you have a corner who is extremely important in the behind the scenes training and advice/gameplans but ultimately once that bell rings its just you and the other guy.
boxing is a truly beautiful sport in many many many ways and its my absolute favorite sport. period.
yea icman and micheal nunn was a true classic..the iceman wasnt going..lol..i love the earmuff guard and his inside fighting..didnt realize his defense was that good
Fighting teaches many lessons victory and violence are only one part of the huge whole that is the sport. It teaches you so many things like how to listen to advise self confidence and worth sportsmanship and to realise that its mono e mone you were in charge of everthing leading up to the fight and during it. the only thing were can control in life is our attitude.
that is a great idea bro,
power to ya!!!!!!!!!
it would be great, instituting boxing in every school...but it ain't like the old days, unfortunately...
We'd see some great fighters in about 20 years, if this happened...I hear in Asia, japan, china, korea....the high schools there all have boxing...it's a shame we don't have it like that here.....I wonder if they have less lawyers or something over there....that's why it all stopped I'm sure, some guy got in the ring and got his ass handed to him, and his folks sued the piss outta the school....all of a sudden, 'no more boxing'...
boxing should be in all schools.....
I can't tell you how many times, after school in high school, there would be 'a big fight' and everyone followed each other, car after car to the 'event'....but it was all bullshit....
had they settled it in the ring, we would've all seen who truly had more balls
Nobody plays boxing. It ain't a game. It's a fight, but you see who the better man is cuz there's rules. None of your homies jumpin in when you're gettin your ass beat. No hittin in the nuts. No pickin up bottles, rocks, or any other weapons. Only punches, no other sissy shit. And if your tough enough, you can beat a guy who's got more skill. Or vice versa, you can be skillful wit no power and beat up a ripped guy wit nothin but a big punch to offer. Boxing is the shit!
I have loved the sport ever since I can remember and it will always be so MMA just dosen't have the same meaning for me as boxing.
I can relate to this. I can go on and on about tradition and risk, but for me...
...it was when I was a little boy and my father was watching old george foreman on his comeback...the look in my father's eyes...he respected foreman, and didn't even know him...
it was then, that I realized how respected a world level boxer was.
boxing=the true judgment of a mans character..there are no time outs and no substitutions..just you and your opponent..1 on 1..no guns,no knives...the man with the most heart and the better judgement wins...boxing seperates the real from the fake...my dream is to institute a boxing program in every school across the world so we can see how all the crime rate drops..i wish when countries have issues the 2 leaders would just step in a ring and settle their issues..bombs,guns and knives are for pussies
that is a great idea bro,
power to ya!!!!!!!!!
I have loved the sport ever since I can remember and it will always be so MMA just dosen't have the same meaning for me as boxing.
It's because of the tradition combined with the risk, that make it more respectable of a title to hold. MMAers themselves recognize this, and will tell you all day how damaging to the brain boxing is. Life itself is risk! You can get killed walking your dog! BUT ILL BE DAMNED IF I DIE WITH REGRET!!!!!!!!!
Glory!!! Is what it's all about! So when we grow old, we will have stories, and trophies to share with the young ones our families produce. Things they can be proud of.......a true dynasty...
Iceman! I saw your match against Nunn the other day on ESPN classic...that was a great match!!!!!!Even though you lost, you showed true balls!!!! I thought both of you were winners!!!!!!!!!!! I CAN ONLY HOPE TO BE AS STRONG AS EITHER OF YOU SOMEDAY
16y ago
Why I think Boxing is the best sport... | BoxingScene Community