Will we see a cross-over champion from MMA to boxing, or from boxing to MMA? I'm thinking there is a chance this could happen sooner then we think. I'll throw out a year. 2012.
It's hard to imagine a fighter who crosses over and is consistently the best like a Fedor. But, I certainly think a great boxer could cross over and still be popular and have a good following. If it did happen, I would expect the guy to come from boxing first. It's hard for me to imagine any MMA guys relying totally on hand striking and becoming champions. But, I don't know why any boxing champion would bother going to MMA. If they were extremely popular, they could make a lot more money in boxing. You might see some kind of a one-off champion-vs-champion thing. Although, even then, who wants to take the risk ?
I don't follow MMA, but I did read that Frank Mir, who is fighting for the WCF championship vs Brock Lesner on July 11th, 2009 has an interest in boxing. Mir is a strong puncher. He's only getting $100,000.00 for the Lesnar match. There are plenty of Boxing fans who don't watch MMA, and plenty of MMA fans who don't watch boxing. However, if there is a cross over champion, I get the hunch there will be a big market for that person. Prize fighters can say one thing, and do another, but in the end their decisions are mostly based on where they can make the most money.
Doubtful at least not the at the highest level although with the amount of titles around you never know but unlikley since most come from grappling background including Mir who you mentioned his main strengh is his jiu jitsu. I think the money will increase in mma anyway 100 grand is more then they used to make and other more popular/successful fighters earn more plus ppv cuts.
Well there be a Bo Jackson of fighting? I think someone will try but I don't know how secusfuel he will be. I know very little about MMA. I might watch hi-lites after the fact and I know who some of the big names are because I fallow sports in genral, but I couldn't tell you who was better than who or their styles. I think the bigest disadvantage in being a two sport athlete in MMA and boxing is that there are no seasons like there is in football and baseball for example. I am also under the impresion that traing camp for a championship boxing match is about 1-2 months. I don't know how long or how one trains for a MMA match. No matter how good of shape you are in after a 12 round boxing match you need rest. The need to train, fight and rest rather MMA or boxing cousmes time. I can see a champion boxer and MMAer chalgening each other at one sport or the other but I don't see any one being champion of both sports at the same time.
