MMA and Boxing should be working together. Fight Fans enjoy FIGHTING

All this competition is nonsense. Both sports should be able to communicate to each other on what dates they would like to put their show on as to not hinder the other’s business nor the many fans that enjoy both sports. I'm a fan of both MMA and Boxing because I consider myself a "FIGHT-FAN." I love a good fight and I respect the "Art" of fighting/self-defense/offense. At the end of the day it is about the display of those participating athletes that are set out to demonstrate what they have learned in their constant practicing and pursuit of perfecting of their Art of Self-defense in order to better understand what works and what doesn’t in a continually evolving field of Human Self-defense. OK, a bit of glaze on the bullshit that last part may have been which I’m using just in case the kids that are reading this need something to tell their parents of why they should be allowed to watch…but I think we can all agree that it is about Fighting and Entertainment…and when an exciting fight happens, be it in the ring or on the street, it’s a hellova thing to see firsthand. If you just like Boxing, then you are a boxing fan but not a Fight-Fan. The same goes for MMA fans only liking MMA. To me, you have to like more than one fight sport to say you are a “fight-fan.” MMA fans especially should be able to watch and enjoy each individual sport, be it wrestling, boxing, kick-boxing, etc. while it will take the boxing fan a lot longer (maybe) to get interested and expand on their views of fighting and entertainment. I started out watching Boxing and Kick-boxing as a young kid so I naturally got interested in MMA way back when the Gracie's started it. However, I wasn't a big fan of it because I didn't see the talent level that I did in boxing. Sloppy fights are not that enjoyable when you have to pay money or don’t know the person personally (like neighborhood fights). At the time (since I was young and still learning myself) I didn't realize that to show exceptional talent and ability in the MMA arena, it was going to take a lot longer to be great at than a boxer because you are learning more than one form of fighting and have more to worry about from the opponent. So when I finally saw a fighter that looked of quality, I became more a fan of the sport and could respect the constant evolution of the athlete that participates in the MMA arena/field. When the two sports compete against one another they are doing a disservice to the Fight-Fan who wants to watch a good Fight from high quality athletes that have practiced the art of warfare/self-defense. If the sport comes together (and maybe it has in certain locations)…MMA and Boxers will be training in the same gym which will allow those that may not gravitate towards one of the sports, can compete in the sport of their choice or even gradually convert to the other as interests change…or even compete in both since youth students tend to have an incredible learning capacity and drive to compete and get better. Youths in the sports will determine the future of both Boxing and MMA but be assured it will be MMA that will be training in boxing and keeping it alive on some level; but hopefully a level that continually has high standards as to not lose its flavor from the art/artist. As Boxing gyms close and it seems MMA gyms open, boxing future may be with the MMA cousin. Because rest assured as MMA evolves and boxing is included in their fight game, and fewer kids join boxing gyms, the top trainers in boxing will be leaving to get paid by MMA fighters. So boxing needs to go where the growing talent is and join forces. MMA will always need boxing so they cannot cut it out and in my opinion will be better served as to keep it in the same gym with incoming youths that are willing to learn and have the potential to grow into smart creative athletic competitors that keep boxing on a high level as to not only compete but to also teach to their cousin MMA fighter along the way or when they are done their careers and want to become trainers.