Wow, as both a boxing and MMA fan - it's really pathetic to see the majority of the comments made by die hard boxing fans. Here are some of the main points I constantly see them bring up to defend boxing:
1) "Couture should be a "man" and go fight Toney in a boxing match."
Um no, Toney was the one who begged to fight in MMA, Couture and 99% of MMA fighters have no desire to box which is a completely different sport. Basically these fans are saying that while the MMA fighter would easily beat the boxer in minutes or less in a REAL fight, the only way for the boxer to win would be to RESTRICT all techniques that can be used in a REAL fight and only allow punching... uh yeah, congratulations.
2) "A more athletic boxer in their prime would do much better in MMA."
Obviously everyone learns differently and some boxers may pick up on learning grappling in MMA faster, but this statement makes no sense. Regardless of how in shape someone is - that isn't going to make up for him knowing nothing about grappling against someone who has been training in wrestling and submissions for years. Guess what, your favorite boxer will get dominated the same way Toney was if he hasn't spent years training for grappling & MMA.
3) "Couture isn't a man for not standing with Toney" or the laughable "wrestling is gay, fight like a man" quotes. Please, ask Toney how gay it was when Couture was on top throwing punches and then choking him unconscious. I also encourage anyone who says this to actually show up at a BJJ gym and then come back and let us know how "gay" it was when you were getting dominated with chokes, armbars, etc. Accept the fact that wrestling is a major part of fighting.
Anyway, it's funny to see these die hard boxing fans who are apparently offended by MMA get so defensive with their excuses when Toney lost. Yet real fighters like Tyson, Hatton, etc. all recognize how both boxing and MMA are great sports but also understand they wouldn't last a minute in a MMA fight without years of training beforehand.