Korean Job Discussion Forums

[MANDRL]

Here we have mixed martial artist Quentin Jackson and boxer Zab Judah talking candidly about boxing v. MMA. It's actually really entertaining. My favorite part:

ESPN: A lot of people who are either MMA or boxing fans don't think a guy can cross over and be successful.
Rampage: I think people can, because of kickboxers. I did some kickboxing and I did all right, and I'm a wrestler. But boxing is a little bit different. I saw some kickboxers go into wrestling and get their ass handed to them, you know. I saw vice versa as well. It's just different, depending on who you put them in there with. I'm willing to represent the UFC. I ain't no coward. I'll go into the boxing ring and fight somebody but I ain't fighting no big-ass heavyweight who is really tough. Give me an old has-been.
Judah: Larry Holmes or somebody.
Rampage: Yeah, give me somebody who is like half dead who retired 10 years ago. Pay me like $10-20 million and I'll put on a good show.
ESPN: If somebody offered you $20 million tomorrow to do it, would you do it?
Rampage: Tomorrow? Hell, yeah, I'd cancel my fight I got right now.
ESPN: You honestly would?
Rampage: For $20 million? What's wrong with you? I'm from the streets of Memphis. $20 million to cancel my fight I got? Man, hell yeah.
ESPN: You would drop your UFC belt and go fight a boxing match?
Rampage: I can go buy another belt that looks just like that. That's a good payday for a mixed martial artist. We're not making the big money like the boxers.


http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2996842&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab7pos2

[Rteacher]

That is an entertaining interview - I knew that Rampage was a real colorful character, and Judah evidently is also...

The top MMA fighters are beginning to make good money, but UFC (notoriously very cheap in the past) has reportedly been raking in big bucks for its owners, so they should pay everyone on their roster very well...

Here's another chunk from the article:

ESPN: Zab, how long would Rampage last in a boxing ring?
Judah: He would be fighting heavyweights like Klitschko and Shannon Briggs. Them some big dudes.
ESPN: So, would he last 30 seconds?
Judah: No, I mean, he's a fighter.
Rampage: I don't know. Like he said, them some big guys. I probably wouldn't last too long in the boxing ring.


ESPN: Zab, how would you do in the octagon?
Judah: Give me about 30 seconds. As soon as I go down, it's over. I quit.
ESPN: Would you ever entertain the idea of training for a year and trying it?
Judah: I actually trained in MMA before, and it's not me. As soon as you kick me and knee me, it's over. We could punch it out. But knees and all that? I'm done.
Rampage: Yeah, that hurts a little bit more than punches. When I get punched in the face, it really doesn't bother me that much. But a kick to the leg? That really hurts.
ESPN: Rampage, if you spent six months doing just striking, how would you do in a boxing match?
Rampage: It depends on who you put me in there with. If you put me in there with a chump, I might lay his ass out. But if you put me in there with one of those top guys, I might swallow some teeth...
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/news/story?id=2996842&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab7pos2

[bejarano-korea]

As a boxing fan, it is sad to see the decline of boxing and MMA, UFC, K-1 is a real threat to boxing as a spectator sport.

Once upon a time 'world title fight' was a big deal. Now - with 4 sanctioning bodies and 4 differing ratings. The best fighters go through a career not facing each other. Lots of fighters went throught their career without facing each other like Lewis vs Bowe as professionals. A world boxing title fight has been relegated as a third division sporting event.

In MMA, UFC, K-1 etc the best fighters do fight each other. The fights are exciting and entertaining to watch.

Boxing needs to sort it's act out, needs to get rid of the 4 different rating bodies and needs the best fighters in all the weight divsion to fiht each other and for there to be one world champion.

As for MMA fighters and K-1 fighters going in against boxers under the Marquis of Queensbury rules, they are at a great disadvantage if they are not relying on their full arsenal of kicks and holds over 3 minute rounds.
Sugar Ray Sefo getting KO'd in a round by Chester Hughes is proof that because a K-1 or an MMA fighter is a top man in that field that he could do it in boxing and vice versa.

Though I do think Mighty Mo would make an excellent boxer in the David Tua/Sam Peter mold.