In case you haven’t been paying attention this weekend is a big one for pro fighting. UFC has their 103rd event and Floyd Mayweather is facing off against Marquez. These two pay-per-view events will run head to head competing for dominance with fight fans everywhere. My question is why? It would seem that both events would stand to make more money by offsetting their start dates.
From the looks of it the boxing match was scheduled first and then Dana White pit his fighters against pro boxing on purpose. I’m on the outside looking in but this doesn’t make the most sense to me. Forcing people to choose one over the other is akin to the battle between Microsoft and Sony over video games, is it a formula that works as well in the fight game?
First off, I want to make the argument that there is no comparison between MMA and Boxing despite the fact that boxers have drifted towards the sport on the amateur level. Boxing and MMA are two different animals, much like the difference between boxing and say, karate. Bob Arum in all his curmudgeonry even contends that the two venues have distinct audiences, if he really believes that then what are the disparaging words against MMA for? Both sides have made negative comments about the other which can only serve to polarize the fan base.
The truth is that there is plenty of room for both entities to easily co-exist, hell if they were smart they would have mixed fight cards and partner up. Unfortunately the fighters aren’t the only ones guilty of petty grandstanding as Dana White can’t resist taking jabs at boxing and vice versa.
There is a laundry list of negative comments that go back over the last several years as MMA tries to gain a foothold in the public consciousness. There are some like Oscar De La Hoya who think that both venues can co-exist but he unfortunately is in the minority.
I have a suggestion for the two entities, just a mild one.
To whom it may concern,
Hey guys how’s it going? I’ve been listening to all your comments and arguments about which venue is better and frankly I’m tired of hearing all this negativity. Instead of trying to steal food from each other’s mouths like savages, how about you guys work together to make as much money as possible. Let’s face it, money is what you’re after, why get in your own way when you could be helping each other?
I see a future with mixed fight cards in it, with the best and brightest from each sport showcasing their talents in one huge venue. Why not? Why would polarize your audience, there are only a few similarities between the two sports and I’m willing to bet good money that most fight fans would love to see MMA and boxing in the same place.
There are already websites that cover both of your events evenly, which would suggest that your audience is far more mixed than you give it credit for. Plus, think of all the money! C’mon Dana (or is it Mr. White?) I know I’m speaking your language when it comes to the bottom line.
I say that you (Mr. White) should call up Bob Arum and make amends, remember to speak loudly because at that age Mr. Arum probably can’t hear very well but I’m sure you could mend fences rather easily. Once you mend fences you and boxing can start raking in the dough on a level that rivals pro wrestling.
Thanks!
In all seriousness I contend that this little tit for tat fight between MMA and boxing is juvenile at best and is a symptom of a bigger problem in sports. That bigger problem is a lack of true sportsmanship but I’ll save that argument for another day.
In closing I want to reiterate that this town is certainly big enough for the two of them boxing and MMA.
