Boxing is a dying sport...

[punchoutsb]

The Notorious Conor McGregor of course! One of the most exciting fighters in all of combats sport in and out of the cage!

He's big news by overseas fighter standards (particularly where he's from) but he hasn't crossed over here in the USA to the tune of big PPVs and headlining like Rousey, Silva or JBJones.

He's headlining a big PPV Vs Aldo on fight week in July. Only the 2nd time a lighter weight title fight (FW) has headlined over a heavier weight title fight (WW) and that's definitely down to McGregor rather than Aldo.

This. McGregor is huge in the US already.

[Tony1244]

I may be in the minority opinion here, but I think UFC has been good for boxing. Competition is always good. My nephew likes boxing somewhat, but he wouldn't like it at all if it wasn't for UFC, as UFC got him use to enjoying fighting as a sport.

I agree, though at first a lot of UFC fans looked down their noses at boxing, but I think now a lot of UFC/MMA fans are gaining a new-found respect for the sweet science. They are realizing that the 2 sports have more in common than most people admit > both are combat sports, one-on-one, mano-a-mano. The longer UFC/MMA is around I think a lot of their fans will overcome the insecurity that comes with being a new sport trying to prove itself.

The long-awaited Pac-May megafight & the return of boxing to primetime broadcast TV are both a big boost for the fight game & I expect the sweet science to make a legit comeback in 2015.

I sometimes see better use of the jab in UFC than I do in boxing.

[danamba7]

I may be in the minority opinion here, but I think UFC has been good for boxing. Competition is always good. My nephew likes boxing somewhat, but he wouldn't like it at all if it wasn't for UFC, as UFC got him use to enjoying fighting as a sport.

I agree, though at first a lot of UFC fans looked down their noses at boxing, but I think now a lot of UFC/MMA fans are gaining a new-found respect for the sweet science. They are realizing that the 2 sports have more in common than most people admit > both are combat sports, one-on-one, mano-a-mano. The longer UFC/MMA is around I think a lot of their fans will overcome the insecurity that comes with being a new sport trying to prove itself.

The long-awaited Pac-May megafight & the return of boxing to primetime broadcast TV are both a big boost for the fight game & I expect the sweet science to make a legit comeback in 2015.

I sometimes see better use of the jab in UFC than I do in boxing.

GSP Vs Koshchek maybe but its rare to have a quality battle of the jabs because the leg kick is the "jab" of MMA.

[KBB]

This. McGregor is huge in the US already.

Yes he may well be but he will not be able to singlehandedly carry the UFC, once Rousey fights Cyborg and Silva returns and wins or loses a bout and JBJ gets defeated then they only have one man (McGregor) and that's assuming he gets passed Aldo (which isn't a forgone conclusion).

Who else will carry the UFC after McGregor??

[scallum2015]

ive been out of the loop but isn't Boxing back on prime time tv with very competitive matches? Isnt the biggest fight in the history of the sport about to happen? these are not symptoms of a dying sport. btw who is the one running the nbc fights?

[ReggieDiggs]

ive been out of the loop but isn't Boxing back on prime time tv with very competitive matches? Isnt the biggest fight in the history of the sport about to happen? these are not symptoms of a dying sport. btw who is the one running the nbc fights?

Yep. NBC, ABC & CBS will all be showing boxing this year. Plus 4-5 other channels iirc (Arum even has a deal with Tru TV that starts in May). I seriously lost count.

Al Haymon is the guy behind the Premier Boxing Champions entity that will be showing fights on NBC & several other channels.

Get back in the loop bruh, its a great time to be in the loop for once.

And nah no idea what you mean about the biggest fight in the history of the sport or w/e. You mean Canelo vs Kirkland?

[punchoutsb]

This. McGregor is huge in the US already.

Yes he may well be but he will not be able to singlehandedly carry the UFC, once Rousey fights Cyborg and Silva returns and wins or loses a bout and JBJ gets defeated then they only have one man (McGregor) and that's assuming he gets passed Aldo (which isn't a forgone conclusion).

Who else will carry the UFC after McGregor??

The UFC does not need anyone to single-handedly carry them, just like boxing doesn't need anyone to single-handedly carry them.

[HomicideHenry]

I think boxing took a real dip in all-around popularity, and even a drop in all-around talent.... following the 1990's and the institution of the Muhammad Ali Act. The federal government cornered the market on the sport, and made it only possible for the elite and rich to operate the business---- mom and pop shows all over the country started to pass away, and in essence the day and age of the 'barnstormer' and 'journeyman' were put to a halt. All sports need 'minor league' players, etc. and boxing is no different--- but when the government got involved, and started over-regulating things, all that died off. Is why we're still seeing late 30's-early 40's- almost 50 year old fighters reigning supreme in the business because there is no real fighters being made from the 'bottom-up' and no competitiveness anywhere.

[Badhusker]

Boxing is just fine, and will never die. I get a little irritated when people come on boxing sites or message boards and go on and on how bad it is, it sucks, all fights are fixed, etc. If you don't like it, don't follow it, go away, and stfu.

I will say if the Pac vs May fight didn't happen, it would have been a huge blow to the sport in the eyes of casual fans. The way it stands, it will be big boost for boxing. May 2nd will rival the super bowl for people watching. (maybe not that since it is PPV, but more people world-wide would watch on May 2 PPV even at $100 a pop than would pay that to watch any super bowl).

No, one big fight doesn't define boxing, this fight in particular hopefully will help it.

[Like a Boss]

I may be in the minority opinion here, but I think UFC has been good for boxing. Competition is always good. My nephew likes boxing somewhat, but he wouldn't like it at all if it wasn't for UFC, as UFC got him use to enjoying fighting as a sport.

You may be on to something there.

[spanner18]

Hi my first post so be gentle ,if any martial art is dying it is imho UFC it is boring boring boring ,i have not seen a decent stand up fight for a long time. The Mayweather fight was a big let down for boxing and boxers but imho boxing is still the premier sport and always will be not least because it has a history .