Tag: boxing

Dana White on Rampage’s Boxing Aspirations: “The Grass is Always Greener”

(Props to MMAWeekly.) 

You can say what you want about Dana White when it comes to title fights, but the man never beats around the bush when it comes to his fighters. In a recent interview, “The Baldfather” spoke in typically frank fashion when asked about former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s claims to pursue boxing at the end of his UFC contract on the heels of his fourth round submission loss to current champ Jon Jones at UFC 135. A few highlights from the interview:

On boxing promoter Bob Arum’s claims that the UFC underpays their fighters: “You hear [boxing promoter] Bob [Arum] out there: ‘Yeah, they don’t pay their guys anything.’ Rampage got paid for his last fight, trust me. A lot of money. Bob Arum pays guys $600 on his cards. We’ve never paid a guy that, ever. We’ve only been around ten years, Bob’s been promoting fights for 120 years”


(Props to MMAWeekly.) 

You can say what you want about Dana White when it comes to title fights, but the man never beats around the bush when it comes to his fighters. In a recent interview, “The Baldfather” spoke in typically frank fashion when asked about former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson’s claims to pursue boxing at the end of his UFC contract on the heels of his fourth round submission loss to current champ Jon Jones at UFC 135. A few highlights from the interview:

On boxing promoter Bob Arum’s claims that the UFC underpays their fighters: “You hear [boxing promoter] Bob [Arum] out there: ‘Yeah, they don’t pay their guys anything.’ Rampage got paid for his last fight, trust me. A lot of money. Bob Arum pays guys $600 on his cards. We’ve never paid a guy that, ever. We’ve only been around ten years, Bob’s been promoting fights for 120 years”

On Rampage’s belief that people won’t run from him in the boxing ring: “He’ll find out when he starts boxing that [running from opponents is] pretty much the game these days. The game is: Let’s step in there and do everything we can do avoid a fight, so we can get on to the next payday. No matter where you are, no matter what you do, you’re always going to have guys chirping about something.”

On Rampage’s thought process in general: “Rampage thought the movie business was the answer to all his fucking dreams and that didn’t work out too good. The pay over there wasn’t what he thought it was, the pay over here was a lot better. A lot better. The grass is always greener until it’s not there any more, and then you realize you made a lot of mistakes and you should have done things differently.”

DW makes some interesting points here, and given Rampage’s history of mental…let’s say shakiness following title fights, it’s hard to judge whether he is truly serious about moving to boxing or just blowing smoke up our ass. What do you guys think? Is Jackson really serious about this move, or is it just a case of his infamous post-loss blues?

-Danga 

Ricky Hatton: ‘Boxing Can Learn Something from Mixed Martial Arts’

(Video courtesy of YouTube/FightHubTV)

FightHub TV caught up with former IBO and The Ring Magazine light welterweight boxing champ Ricky Hatton recently in the UK to get his take on MMA and according to “The Hitman” he’s come around in his opinion of the sport.

“At first mixed martial arts wasn’t seen as too popular, but more and more it’s getting bigger and bigger all the time. And the more and more yo look into it…at first I thought it was just people rollin’ about on the floor huggin’ each other, but that’s far from it. As it’s getting more popular, when you actually look into it scientifically there’s a lot more to it. It’s not just about standin’ there and usin’ your feet and usin’ your fists,” he explained. “It’s about gettin’ your opponent on the floor, puttin’ him in a certain move, which is a work of art in its own right. The more and more popular it’s gettin’ it’s not become just a part-time thing now. It’s a professional sport and I’m sure I speak for the mixed martial arts people as well as the boxing people in saying that these people — the nutritional people — are the best probably even more so than in boxing because it’s a lot more physical than boxing, isn’t it? I can say slowly but surely, the more I’ve watched it I’ve become a bit of a fan.”


(Video courtesy of YouTube/FightHubTV)

FightHub TV caught up with former IBO and The Ring Magazine light welterweight boxing champ Ricky Hatton recently in the UK to get his take on MMA and according to “The Hitman” he’s come around in his opinion of the sport.

“At first mixed martial arts wasn’t seen as too popular, but more and more it’s getting bigger and bigger all the time. And the more and more yo look into it…at first I thought it was just people rollin’ about on the floor huggin’ each other, but that’s far from it. As it’s getting more popular, when you actually look into it scientifically there’s a lot more to it. It’s not just about standin’ there and usin’ your feet and usin’ your fists,” he explained. “It’s about gettin’ your opponent on the floor, puttin’ him in a certain move, which is a work of art in its own right. The more and more popular it’s gettin’ it’s not become just a part-time thing now. It’s a professional sport and I’m sure I speak for the mixed martial arts people as well as the boxing people in saying that these people — the nutritional people — are the best probably even more so than in boxing because it’s a lot more physical than boxing, isn’t it? I can say slowly but surely, the more I’ve watched it I’ve become a bit of a fan.”

Perhaps most surprising is Hatton’s assertion that “The Sweet Science” could stand to learn a thing or two from it’s distant cousin. Although he says he likely wouldn’t have tried his hand at the sport, he gives MMA and its fighters credit.

“I have enough to worry about looking at the fists without having to look at the feet, the elbows and the knees. No, I am a big fan. I was a very physical boxer, so something like that is right up my street and the more popular it gets [more people realize] these are professional athletes who work hard and dedicate themselves at it, so I tip my hat to them. I don’t think [MMA will eclipse boxing]. Boxing will always have its own audience and boxing is its [own] sport,” Hatton pointed out. “[MMA] is becoming [more] popular all the time. Certainly in the United States it’s becoming very popular, but I think there’s room for both sports. Boxing can learn a bit from mixed martial arts. You go there and they create [an amazing] atmosphere with the ring entrances and the music and everything like that. In this financial climate you’ve got to put something out there that sells. From that point of view boxing can learn something from mixed martial arts, but I think they’re always going to have their own fans — mixed martial arts and professional boxing.”

Oh Boy: Rampage Jackson Says He’s Boxing Bound

(At least Page won’t have to worry about this sort of thing anymore. Props to MMAFighting.com) 

I can already smell the rumors of a possible match with Kimbo. During a recent podcast with ESPN UK, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson stated that he plans to move to boxing at the end of his UFC contract, primarily to fight people that “aren’t scared.” On the heels of his 4th round submission loss to Jon Jones at UFC 134, many have speculated that this was just a case of Page watching The Secret a few too many times, but Jackson seems about as serious as he can be about it:

(At least Page won’t have to worry about this sort of thing anymore. Props to MMAFighting.com) 

I can already smell the rumors of a possible match with Kimbo. During a recent podcast with ESPN UK, former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton “Rampage” Jackson stated that he plans to move to boxing at the end of his UFC contract, primarily to fight people that “aren’t scared.” On the heels of his 4th round submission loss to Jon Jones at UFC 134, many have speculated that this was just a case of Page watching The Secret a few too many times, but Jackson seems about as serious as he can be about it:

I hate fighting people who are scared. When you fight somebody who is scared you never know what they’re going to do. They turn and run. That’s why I’m gonna go to boxing. I’m gonna try boxing because they’ve got to stand with you. If I get knocked out I don’t care because at least it’s a fight.

Given Jackson’s penchant for only using his boxing background in his MMA career, the move doesn’t honestly seem like that bad a move. Let’s be honest, “Rampage” had nothing to offer current champ Jon Jones in their fight, and probably has a long road ahead of him before we start talking about a possible rematch. But one of the main foreseeable problems in Jackson’s boxing future, according to Scott Christ over at Bad Left Hook, is that of his size.

…given his age it would be unlikely he’d be able to cut down to cruiserweight, where there’s no U.S. market, and that means he’d have to fight as a heavyweight. At 6’1″ with a 73″ reach, he’d be undersized and probably underpowered.

An interesting argument, but what do you guys think? Could Jackson ever be more than a PPV draw in the boxing world? Or could we being witnessing the rebirth of his career? More importantly, will Dana White ever allow this shit to happen? Discuss.

-Danga 

Larry Merchant: Still Talking Out His Ass

(You know who’s lucky I don’t have a time machine? Those damn kids with their skateboards on my sidewalks!) 

When he’s not harassing fighters inside the ring or making up false claims about MMA promotions paying him 5 million dollars to attend an event, I’d like to imagine that Larry Merchant is playing Parcheesi in Boca Vista somewhere, just enjoying the fact that time travel doesn’t exist so he wouldn’t have to follow through on some of his outrageous claims. Well, I would be wrong in that assessment, because it turns out Merchant is far too busy talking out his ass at every possible opportunity to even have time for table based games of mental aptitude. In a recent interview with Boxing Scene, Merchant responded to Dana White’s claims that he was “senile” and “an embarrassment to HBO” with the following statement, which I can only assume took a fortnight to spit out:

(You know who’s lucky I don’t have a time machine? Those damn kids with their skateboards on my sidewalks!) 

When he’s not harassing fighters inside the ring or making up false claims about MMA promotions paying him 5 million dollars to attend an event, I’d like to imagine that Larry Merchant is playing Parcheesi in Boca Vista somewhere, just enjoying the fact that time travel doesn’t exist so he wouldn’t have to follow through on some of his outrageous claims. Well, I would be wrong in that assessment, because it turns out Merchant is far too busy talking out his ass at every possible opportunity to even have time for table based games of mental aptitude. In a recent interview with Boxing Scene, Merchant responded to Dana White’s claims that he was “senile” and “an embarrassment to HBO” with the following statement, which I can only assume took a fortnight to spit out:

“Let’s see, anyone who can make a multimillion dollar business out of street fighting has to be respected. My opinion is that anyone is allowed to put up a tent, put on a show, and invite people to come. And obviously he’s had a lot of success. Good for him. I don’t watch it. I don’t get a so-called sport in which you can have a 6-2 record and be called a world champion. I just don’t appreciate the finer points of MMA. It’s a free country. I’m a commentator, and if I’m commenting and observing on others than how can I not be open to others observing and commenting on me?”

Now, I can understand what Merchant is trying to say here, but to refer to MMA as street fighting immediately after witnessing one of the dirtiest finishes to a high profile boxing match in recent history seems a bit…douchey. Not to mention the fact that this is the same man who threatened to kick the winner of said boxing match’s ass just moments after the fight was over. Stay classy, Larry.

-Danga

UFC 135 Live Streaming: How to Watch an Event Boxing Could Only Dream About

This week we fight fans get something we were robbed of mere days ago, an actual fight.  We were promised something I am still waiting for, a world-class bout between two guys that hate each other. What was lost in the ring a week ago in the Floyd…

This week we fight fans get something we were robbed of mere days ago, an actual fight.  We were promised something I am still waiting for, a world-class bout between two guys that hate each other. What was lost in the ring a week ago in the Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz boxing match will […]

UFC Betting

UFC 135 Live Streaming: How to Watch an Event Boxing Could Only Dream About

Oscar De La Hoya Admits to Alcohol and Cocaine Abuse, Suicidal Thoughts, and Infidelity [VIDEO]

(Props: UnivisionNews1)

Usually we only bring up boxing when it involves Floyd Mayweather Jr. getting arrested or sued or talking shit about MMA. But we wanted to pass along Oscar De La Hoya‘s bombshell new interview with Univision, in which the boxing legend discusses the personal demons that have haunted him over the past few years. After entering treatment at the Betty Ford Center in May, De La Hoya is now three months’ sober, and in the process of rebuilding his life. Some highlights from the interview:

On his lowest point: “Rock bottom was recently, within a couple of years. Just thinking, ‘Is my life was even worth it?’ I don’t have the strength, I don’t have the courage to take my own life, but I was thinking about it.”

On substance abuse: “There were drugs. My drug of choice was cocaine and alcohol. Cocaine was recent, in the last two years, last two-and-a-half years. And I depended more on the alcohol than the cocaine. It took me to a place where I felt safe. It took me to a place where I felt like if nobody can say anything to me. It took me to a place where I can reach out and just grab my mom, who passed away when I was younger. I was dependent on those drugs.”


(Props: UnivisionNews1)

Usually we only bring up boxing when it involves Floyd Mayweather Jr. getting arrested or sued or talking shit about MMA. But we wanted to pass along Oscar De La Hoya‘s bombshell new interview with Univision, in which the boxing legend discusses the personal demons that have haunted him over the past few years. After entering treatment at the Betty Ford Center in May, De La Hoya is now three months’ sober, and in the process of rebuilding his life. Some highlights from the interview:

On his lowest point: ”Rock bottom was recently, within a couple of years. Just thinking, ‘Is my life was even worth it?’ I don’t have the strength, I don’t have the courage to take my own life, but I was thinking about it.”

On substance abuse: ”There were drugs. My drug of choice was cocaine and alcohol. Cocaine was recent, in the last two years, last two-and-a-half years. And I depended more on the alcohol than the cocaine. It took me to a place where I felt safe. It took me to a place where I felt like if nobody can say anything to me. It took me to a place where I can reach out and just grab my mom, who passed away when I was younger. I was dependent on those drugs.”

On infidelity: “I don’t consider myself a sex addict. I’ve been unfaithful to my wife. I was unfaithful. [More than once], yes. We’re obviously not talking a Tiger Woods here, but I was unfaithful. It was filling the void of maybe not feeling loved to a certain point. It was filling the void of maybe not feeling safe.”

On rehab and recovery: ”Before I left Malibu, after seven weeks, I paid for another three weeks. It’s something I feel I have to do to keep me in check, [to] make sure that I’m jabbing ‘the monster’ you know, and keeping him at distance. We call it ‘the monster, it’s always there, it’s always there when you’re walking out the door, it’s always there behind you, shadowing you. And the more I’m prepared, the better I can fight this monster off. It’s the biggest fight of my life…I could put Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, [Fernando] Vargas, I could put all of my opponents in one ring and battle all of them, but this monster is gonna be the toughest fight of my life. But I’ll be ready.”

Semi-related: Five MMA Fighters Who Beat Addiction