The UFC’s signing of James Toney will no doubt further contribute to the blurring lines between boxing and mixed-martial-arts fans. One would think that even some of the most ardent boxing purists will tune in to see how a decorated boxer like Toney fairs in the Octagon (remember his warning that heads are gonna fly…). There will always of course be a rivalry between the two sports as to what’s more entertaining or bad ass (although at this point trying to argue that boxers rule fighting is like stating the world is flat), but it seems like the two sports are here to co-exist, even peacefully…at least for the time being.
Fighters Only Magazine has posted an interesting article on how UFC boss man Dana White has actually been helping boxing promoter Bob Arum (yes, the dude that not too long ago described MMA’s fanbase as “skinheads”), hype up the upcoming Mar. 13th bout between Manny Pacquia and Joshua Clottey. According to the story, White has encouraged his loyal Twitter subjects (over a million strong) to check out the fight, and further, the report states that the UFC likely moved the original date for UFC 111, as to not compete with the boxing match. And, oh yeah, White, who will be in attendance with UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta apparently, was also giving away a few free tickets…
Damn. That’s a far cry from the days when UFC 103 went up head-to-head against Floyd Mayweather vs. Juan Marquez. See what a fragile economy and thin wallets can do? Building friendships one fight at a time…