Is Boxing Declining Because Of MMA?

Really?! Boxing is WAY more dangerous. Even pro mma fighters have stated that they don't get hurt as seriously as a boxer.

 

If MMA is so popular how come I can't name more than 3 fighters? Lmao
MMA is an absolute joke.

 

Jesus Christ that is a weak argument.

Why can't I name 3 soccer players, despite it being the most popular sport in the world? Don't be in denial. Just because you do not watch a sport for whatever reason doesn't mean it isn't popular; and further, it doesn't mean that it sucks, as other people enjoy it for a reason; even if it is lost on you or I.

 

RE OP I don't quite know. To try and contribute something outside of what has already been said:

I am fairly but not too young. I am 26 and went through my university years during some of the prime years of modern MMA. In and around the university, in meeting individuals from other universities, and even amongst the general public I see in different cities, I always get the impression boxing is smaller than MMA overall. Next to no boxing PPVs are ever shown, in my experience, in sports bars whereas nigh every UFC PPV is offered at a large variety of national chain and local restaurants; heck, even some of the non-PPV ones. Time and time again I find myself requesting for boxing to be turned on, and I am never obliged even if it is a free telecast. This is because of, among other reasons, "a lack of interest [in boxing]" (the bartender's words, not mine); a lack of channel subscription; a simple lack of desire; etc.

And yet boxing is a big business with big purses and big pay-per-view. Whether it is declining or not, the money is still there. The industry is still there. The potential to be a supertar, the intrigue, and the appreciation of boxing are all still there. It simply does not seem mainstream by reference of the bar example; and, further, of very few general population youngsters I know who ever reference boxing, even as a passing footnote or in loose mention of a "superfight". That's right. I can't even recall "cooler talk" of "[superstar] versus [superstar]" anymore from casual sports fans/general population.

Conversely, everyone I know who is actually into combat sports (MMA included) tend to watch and appreciate boxing, even if in modest amount. When I say into combat sports, I mean they actually watch, observe, and analyze fights. Most of my friends who engage MMA as a cultural entity do not really take the time to watch a fight and make, as you might expect, lazy analyses or predictions with no sound basis. Likewise, these are the same people who never mention boxing asides from the occasional negative reaction when someone else brings it up.

All of the guys I have met who are actually into and truly watch combat sports, though, and such is my heavily digressed point upon which I initially made reference of my youth and significance of meeting so many individuals, do enjoy boxing to some extent. Like Rock said, boxing and MMA can be good for one another. They are not fundamentally opposed as sports, as cultural icons, or even as business interests.

Can't a guy just watch boxing and MMA as another might watch baseball and hockey?

 

I dont remember a boxing ppv only selling 90k like UFC 174 and the entire crowd leaving during the main event.

 

Boxing is in an AMAZING place right now. It's MMA that's declining.

Is this some sort of a joke thread or something?

 

Well said, Dan! :good

 

Boxing isn't declining..... And MMA isn't a threat. This is coming from a guy who tunes to both.

 

I don't think MMA has anything to do with it. If there is a decline in boxing it's due to a loss of interest brought about by top fighters refusing to fight each other ala Mayweather/Pacquiao. Boxing is leaving money on the table and losing fans because of it.