Ali versus Fraiser, Tyson versus Hollyfield, Lewis versus Rahman – some of the biggest heavyweight bouts. Not to forget the Rumble in the Jungle – a titanic battle between brains power and heart. It was probably the biggest fight in boxing history.
Fast forward to now, and a new sleeping giant has awoken – the UFC juggernaut – which doesn’t just have Aussies but the world gasping for more.
The upcoming bout – Alistair Overeem versus Junior Dos Santos – could be potentially the biggest payday in UFC ‘s small but illustrious history. This is the type of fight that we are used to seeing in the heavyweight boxing battles of yesteryear, but is the tide turning?
It’s been over a decade since Tyson versus Lewis, the last genuine heavyweight bout that had the world talking. These day’s you ask someone of the street if they know who Vitali Klitschko is and they wouldn’t have a clue. But you ask them about Rampage Jackson and everybody knows.
I remember when UFC first came to Sydney – it was huge. So huge that even Jeff Fenech said that MMA could be the death of boxing.
The problem with boxing is there is so much politics – it’s no wonder everyone is switching to MMA.
You never get to see the fights you want, like Maywheather versus Pacquiao. How long have the fans been waiting for this fight to happen?
Guys like Mayweather have too much power in the sport and should be told who they are fighting, not asked. If these guys were fighting in the UFC they would have fought long ago.
UFC CEO Dana White must be licking his lips thinking about the Overeem-Dos Santos fight; two big men, two big hitters, boxers rather than wrestlers. It has the making of a genuine headliner, once Dos Santos’ knee gets better.
I just hope it lasts longer than the Lesner versus Overeem and the Valasquez-Santos fight.
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January 17th 2012 @ 1:32pm
Paul said | January 17th 2012 @ 1:32pm | Report comment
I have been watching the re-runs of ufc1 etc on pay and i am suprised at how much i am enjoying it. I also think boxing is outdated, at least in this country due to the likes of Mundine and SBW. UFC is a great sport and i am also genuinly suprised at how articulate the likes of GPS, Forest Griffin, Rampage, etc are.
January 17th 2012 @ 2:28pm
onor said | January 17th 2012 @ 2:28pm | Report comment
what ive noticed the most about ufc as opposed to Boxing…
is there is no huge hype.. there is no huge media circus…
its just two go guys going toe to toe.. one might lose to a ground impound
or an arm bar or be clean knocked out .. and thats it..
on to the next fight… For me boxing has just become a dissapointment..
an almost mob run money laundering old school network of business
men, vying to sell people a scam..
Anyway enough of my ranting… UFC.. all the way!!
January 17th 2012 @ 4:55pm
Reece Jordan said | January 17th 2012 @ 4:55pm | Report comment
You have some good points in this article, but some of things you say are merely assertions without any explanation as to why. The other section of the article that raised an eyebrow was when you said no one would know the name Klitschko but would know Rampage Jackson. Firstly, I think you’re overstating Rampage’s reputation and that itself was enhanced by his role in The A-Team. Secondly, I think Anthony Mundine is a name that would easily trump both Klitschko and Jackson if asked. Overall, I think your article raises some great points and has the foundations of being a great read, but try to expand on your assertions and just check the spelling and grammar a bit though. Looking forward to reading more of your work in the future.
January 17th 2012 @ 4:55pm
Reece Jordan said | January 17th 2012 @ 4:55pm | Report comment
You have some good points in this article, but some of things you say are merely assertions without any explanation as to why. The other section of the article that raised an eyebrow was when you said no one would know the name Klitschko but would know Rampage Jackson. Firstly, I think you’re overstating Rampage’s reputation and that itself was enhanced by his role in The A-Team. Secondly, I think Anthony Mundine is a name that would easily trump both Klitschko and Jackson if asked. Overall, I think your article raises some great points and has the foundations of being a great read, but try to expand on your assertions and just check the spelling and grammar a bit though. Looking forward to reading more of your work in the future.
Edit: Sorry for the double post, internet hit a snag or something. :\
January 17th 2012 @ 6:12pm
MMA Convert said | January 17th 2012 @ 6:12pm | Report comment
While I do enjoy boxing, MMA is awesome and very addictive once you start watching and understanding it. In MMA, you need to be the complete fighter that can box, kick, wrestle etc The title holders have had to hone all of those skills..as not having all the skills leaves the fighter exposed. As for the “lying on each other” comment, agree with mattwar..something needs to be happening or the ref’s stand up the fighters. I think eventually, boxers will need to compete in the MMA…as believe boxing is in trouble…..and also believe that pro wrestling will also suffer as MMA/UFC takes over
January 17th 2012 @ 9:31pm
Ross said | January 17th 2012 @ 9:31pm | Report comment
Hi all some great thought provoking discussion… I like all combat sports but to say boxing is extinct is hogwash. Refer to the ratings in Mexico for the JMM v Pac fight….
I agree week in week out MMA is a much more easier & interesting proposition.
But just remember the biggest fight in boxing at the moment i.e. Pac v May (will it happen?) will far exceed anything MMA/UFC can offer.
Agree with MMA convert too- pro wrestling has suffered immensely because of the spike in MMA.
January 18th 2012 @ 8:25am
Stam said | January 18th 2012 @ 8:25am | Report comment
UFC will never have one fighter that is as big in popularity as Tyson, Holyfield, Ali etc. Because its all about the brand, as other people have already pointed out, UFC is extremely well run, when people think UFC they think UFC where as when people think about boxing (what is the main belt people even fight for these days?) they will think of a person and not the “brand”
Boxing will always that one fight that will generate huge publicity but it will be few and far between, basically unless boxing has someone with the vision to bring boxing under one umbrella it will never regain its past popularity
January 21st 2012 @ 8:01pm
Trav said | January 21st 2012 @ 8:01pm | Report comment
“These day’s you ask someone off the street if they know who Vitali Klitschko is and they wouldn’t have a clue. But you ask them about Rampage Jackson and everybody knows.”? I don’t know what street you are doing your surveys in but you are kidding yourself. MMA and the UFC is growing in popularity but it still isn’t mainstream yet.