BJ Penn as a welterweight boxer

I think him having to fight 12 rounds would be his downfall.

 

It is possible these MMA guys are better boxers than what you think. You cannot do the same things in MMA that you do in boxing. I believe that sherk wanted to keep it close waiting for the right time to take Penn down He just caught with the Knee it looked as if he was trying to lure him to the edge and then turn him to make it a close in fight. the problem taking penn down is his jujitsu. Sherk does hit hard he was hoping that he got lucky. IF it wasn't for penns jujitsu sherk would have taken him down after the jab.

 

BJ is not a boxer and would get owned in a boxing match.

 

at this point, no, I wouldnt be confident that BJ could crack the top 15 at 147 in boxing. He hasnt done anything yet that suggests that he could.

 

Had he trained from an early age, he might have been quite good. At this point, though? He could probably beat some of the starter fighters in some poorly regulated states (um, here's to looking at you, Oklahoma), but I doubt he could pass the C level fighters. It's a different sport.

 

Reading skills?

Its not at this point, Its if he exclusevely trained in boxing for a whole year. I dont think its likely but i dont think its impossible.

 

Gomez would destroy him. Penn's a ridiculously talented guy with some good standup skills in MMA, but they don't transfer perfectly to a boxing ring. They're similar, but different sports. It's like asking if a lacrosse player with a year of training could make the NHL, since the sports have some similarities. That lacrosse player would have a better shot at making it than some average Joe, but it'd still be a long shot.

 

I saw the year of exclusive boxing traing question.

Even with a year of solid training he would lose and lose badly, unless it was against some bouncer who occasionaly fight in tough man competition.

A good boxer just can't transition into MMA and become effective and the same goes with MMA fighter. They are different sport. Just leave it at that.

 

Can never truely say for sure, but he has worked with Freddie Roach, has an iron chin, and is very talented at everything he tries

Top 15 would depend on how he gets matched up, because to be honest theres only a small bit of difference between top 15 and top 50. He could win some fights, but I'm hesitant to say he could for sure be a force.

I don't think he could realistically get down to 147 though, and its one of the deepest divisions in the sport.

 

Oh for sure hes got alot of natural ability even in boxing. Hes has a authortive jab,strong right hand,digs in good to the body,nice combos,brutal upperbody,decent speed,heavy hands,slips punches beautifully for a MMA guy. Hes a young man still and hasnt taken alot of punishment if he where to get in and train with some legit boxers and coaches I dont why he couldnt. If he concentrated on boxing in his early teens hed been a real force. Im of course hearing that no MMA guy can win in boxing matches. Jens Pulver,Chris Lytle looked strong as boxers in the middle of their MMA careers.

 

BJ Penn has some of the best hands in mma. I don't think he would become a contender now although i think he would be a decent pro he could beat the lower level guys but not the contenders if he were to train just boxing now. But at a younger age he might have done better but we don't know. However he is a pretty good boxer, just because you won't be a world champion boxer doesn't mean you don't have boxing skills. BJ has good boxing skills which complement other parts of his game quite nicely.

 

Not likely... but B.J. Penn is one of those talents you should never put it past.