F Roach:"Boxing is like a drug once you get it in your blood you can never get enough

I'm a big-time practitioner of Martial Arts. I train in several different styles, but when it comes to being a fan of Boxing there is nothing like it. You'd think I'd be a big fan of MMA, but I'm not. I've always found a boxing match far more compelling. It's the difference between watching a jack-of-all-trades and watching a master artisan. The point that these elite Boxers refine their hand to hand skills is incredible when coupled with the many variations of technique and completely unique personal styles. No Boxer is completely alike, even though they all use the same two tools. Boxing is so deep, yet simple enough for the average joe to understand. It's this simple complexity that keeps me drawn to the sport. The passion and the fear as well as the elation that I feel through a big fight. I can't find it anywhere else. I remember these guys at a gym I used to go to were real big into judo and karate so I figured they would be real big into ufc/mma and i started talking to them and I could not believe how they said it was such trash and how much better Boxing is than it. I know everyone has their opinion but these guys did not train in Boxing but martial arts yet they loved Boxing and really disliked mma it puzzled me. I have come to realize that this is actually somewhat common in traditional martial arts gyms here is a quote from Jackie Chan. At the recent premiere for "The Spy Who Lives Next Door," ESPN.com caught up with actor and martial arts star Jackie Chan to ask him his opinion of MMA. Apparently, he's not too fond of it. "I don't like to see 'ultimate fighting,'" Chan said. "As a martial artist, I find it too violent putting them in a cage. At the end, it's not fighting anymore. That's not the martial arts. Martial arts is about respect. "When somebody is knocked down, stop. I really respect Sugar Ray Leonard. Come on, stop. Don't fight. That's not the spirit. When you're down, I'll grab you up. 'Are you OK? Should we continue?' That's the martial arts spirit. That's what I want." Read Jake Rossen's blog post here. What do you think? Is ulitimate fighting too violent? Is MMA really even martial arts? Could you take Jackie Chan in a fight? We want to hear from you. Tweet us your thoughts. http://espn.go.com/espn/page2/index?id=4842426

I'm a big-time practitioner of Martial Arts. I train in several different styles, but when it comes to being a fan of Boxing there is nothing like it. You'd think I'd be a big fan of MMA, but I'm not. I've always found a boxing match far more compelling. It's the difference between watching a jack-of-all-trades and watching a master artisan. The point that these elite Boxers refine their hand to hand skills is incredible when coupled with the many variations of technique and completely unique personal styles. No Boxer is completely alike, even though they all use the same two tools. Boxing is so deep, yet simple enough for the average joe to understand. It's this simple complexity that keeps me drawn to the sport. The passion and the fear as well as the elation that I feel through a big fight. I can't find it anywhere else.

Was that statement said from a boxer point of view or from a boxing fan pov? I never boxed, only practiced a bit of martial arts as a kid. As a fan, I see myself being one for the rest of my life, so I guess I would agree from the fan perspective.

http://www.dedleg.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/rick_james_cocaine.jpg Boxing is like Coke?

It is an ember that is constantly burning within me. It reveals my character. I think about boxing every day. It is truly the greatest sport in the world. A boxer is not a mere athlete, he is a true, modern day warrior. No matter how old I get, boxing will always be an integrated part of me.

It is true. There isn't a day that goes by when I dont think about it. Both particapating and watching the athletes that do it best.

Yeah it's pretty addicting. I find myself thinking about boxing way too much. I'll even debate myself inside my head about different boxers and fantasy matches.

for those of us who have invested a significant part of our lives for it, it is something that will stay with us forever. it is an elite fraternity that only you know if your a part of. like when you took those beatings and kept coming back for more, eventually beating the people who were beating you. getting caught with that perfect body shot that made you question why you werent at home playing video games. the ice cold feeling in your veins as you wait to walk to the ring. nothing else like it. cheers. great post

for those of us who have invested a significant part of our lives for it, it is something that will stay with us forever. it is an elite fraternity that only you know if your a part of. like when you took those beatings and kept coming back for more, eventually beating the people who were beating you. getting caught with that perfect body shot that made you question why you werent at home playing video games. the ice cold feeling in your veins as you wait to walk to the ring. nothing else like it. cheers.