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12 Boxers We’d Love to See Inside the Octagon

Since MMA went mainstream, one of the debates with regards to boxing is how would a prizefighter fare inside a steel cage with a fighter whom at the best of times also has the sweet science incorporated into their skill set? Well it has happened on mor…

Well it has happened on more than one occasion, and with mixed results.

Former Olympic Gold medalist and WBO heavyweight champion Ray “Merciless” Mercer made his first foray into the mixed martial arts world, his opponent was former UFC employee and street fighting Internet sensation Kimbo Slice.

That said, Mercer lost the bout via Guillotine choke.

His second and last fight in an MMA capacity was a nine-second knockout of former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia (MMA rules weren’t applied).

Though, the highest profile boxer to set foot into a steel cage, in this instance the Octagon, was none other than three-division world champion James “Lights Out” Toney.

It was a disaster in the making or better yet, a disaster waiting to happen. With little or no MMA experience, Toney was clinically and systematically put to sleep via arm triangle choke, courtesy of Randy “The Natural” Couture at UFC 118.

Shocking as it might seem, Lights Out presently harbours thoughts of throwing down with Quinton “Rampage” Jackson and a certain Frank Shamrock.

With bated breath we wait, I think not.

Still, despite the shortcomings of the professional pugilist vis-à-vis everything MMA, some fans still entertain the idea of seeing the pugilist vs. the mixed martial artist.

Let’s take a look at some of those from the persuasion of the sweet science we’d love to see in the UFC’s Octagon.

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Lyoto Machida is Juan Manuel Marquez, Jon Jones is Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Lyoto “The Dragon” Machida’s counter-striking acumen will be tested against the nonpareil talent of light heavyweight champion Jon “Bones” Jones this coming Saturday night in UFC 140. (Comparing our top combatants with those of …

Machida the challenger is considered as one of the best—if not the best—counter-strikers in MMA today, just like, well, boxing’s current world lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez. Also going in his favor is his much-publicised training camp under the Freddie Roach of MMA: Crane-Kick Aikido (patent pending) Master Steven Seagal.

Marquez is most famous for his effective counter-punching through Manny Pacquiao’s fistic whirlwinds in their historic boxing trilogy. The first resulted in a draw, the second and third engagements both decision losses to Pacquiao (regardless of what Marquez and a number of boxing aficionados consistently felt and still feel to the contrary).

The champion Jones, on the other hand, exudes the indomitability of arguably boxing’s No.1 pound-for-pound (again) Floyd Mayweather, Jr. And like Floyd’s versus Marquez, Jones enjoys the advantage in height and reach.

The only major difference—aside from these athletes’ respective combative sports and skill sets—is that Jones lets his fighting do most of the talking. It’s also a no-brainer on who’s class and who’s crass.

In comparing Machida and Jones, both fighters have extraordinary fighter’s instinct and timing. Both are consummately methodical in mincing their opponents.

They also share an eerie similarity in “fight face.” Sporting a countenance defined by a cold, unblinking stare that forebodes inevitable destruction of their unlucky prey.

Well, if looks alone could win fights, then expect a draw on this Saturday’s main event.

The questions lingering heavily in the minds of UFC fans.

Can Machida counter Jones’s unpredictable striking offense and efficiently land his own bombs?

Will The Dragon’s respectable takedown defense suffice to intercept Bones’s wrestling projectiles?

Does Machida have another surprise attack up his sleeve? Courtesy of Señor Risen-from-Half-Past-Dead?

And the winner is…

Unfortunately for Machida, Jones will see and thwart what Rashad Evans and Randy Couture didn’t see coming.

Catching up with the Jones is an exercise in futility. He’ll be the one to catch Machida again and again till the stoppage.

Worst for Machida is that the youthful champion not only posseses the skill akin to Mayweather—he’s also shown the KO power of a Pacquiao.

And for the unbigoted amongst us who cared to watch and see who prevailed on 09-19-09, we know who between Marquez and Mayweather had more reason to party till the wee hours of the 10th.

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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!)

“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

Floyd Mayweather, Brock Lesnar and the Biggest Villains in Combat Sports Today

When Floyd Mayweather sucker-punched Victor Ortiz to earn a knockout victory earlier this month, the boxing world was sent into a tailspin.It wasn’t that the undefeated (42-0) Mayweather wasn’t winning the fight, but it almost seemed as if …

When Floyd Mayweather sucker-punched Victor Ortiz to earn a knockout victory earlier this month, the boxing world was sent into a tailspin.

It wasn’t that the undefeated (42-0) Mayweather wasn’t winning the fight, but it almost seemed as if he went out of his way to land the cheap shot. Worse yet, he was completely unapologetic about it after the fight.

Mayweather instantly became public enemy No. 1 in the boxing world, joining other fighters like the UFC’s Brock Lesnar, who have practically come right out and revealed themselves to be anti-heroes, even villains, in combat sports.

Being the “bad guy” isn’t always embraced by fans, but it’s something that has earned some of these fighters a lot of money. Perhaps even more money than they could have ever earned if they were more fan favorites.

Pro wrestling learned many years ago that while it is the “good guy” who the fans will rally behind, it is the “bad guy” who truly makes them their money by enticing fans to attend events, purchase pay-per-views and spend money on merchandise to support that “good guy.”

Certainly pro wrestling is different than real competition, but these concepts still remain true. Just ask yourself, “How many times have I cheered against someone more than I was really cheering for his opponent?” The answer may surprise you.

These fighters have not only accepted their role as “bad guys” in combat sports, which is why they have been named the 10 best villains in combat sports today.

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UFC: Could Floyd Mayweather Make It Inside the Octagon?

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is arguably the greatest boxer to have ever stepped foot inside the ring.Mayweather, who hadn’t fought in over a year, recently squared off with the WBC World Welterweight champion, Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in La…

Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is arguably the greatest boxer to have ever stepped foot inside the ring.

Mayweather, who hadn’t fought in over a year, recently squared off with the WBC World Welterweight champion, Victor Ortiz at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

As expected, Mayweather knocked out Ortiz at just 2:59 in the 4th round of action. To date, Mayweather has never lost a fight, posting an unbelievable and perfect record of 42-0.

Of his 42 career victories, 26 have come by way of knockout and 16 by decision.

Mayweather has won 10 world titles, two fighter of the year awards and was declared the boxing world’s greatest pound for pound fighter.

He’s won the world championship in five different weight classes and proves time and time again that he is virtually unstoppable.

Because of Mayweather’s world class achievements, many have begun to question a career in Ultimate Fighting.

Mayweather, who’s been quick to bash the UFC has never even stepped foot inside the Octagon.

If Mayweather were to pursue a career in mixed martial arts he would currently fall in the Featherweight division of 145-pounders.

While “Money” Mayweather would certainly have the advantage in striking and stand up game, he would be far too inexperienced in every other aspect of the sport.

Sure, Mayweather could win a few bouts against the UFC’s lesser opponents. But if the fight were taken to the ground, Mayweather would essentially have no skills in defending himself.

Any experienced fighter would look to take Mayweather to the ground only to ground and pound their way to victory. Mayweather also has no experience in submissions or submission defense.

While Mayweather may escape with a few victories in the UFC, he would certainly never be an elite fighter.

Being a champion inside the Octagon requires much more than exceptional boxing skills. It requires an expertise in all phases of the sport. Floyd Mayweather, Jr. could never be an elite fighter in the UFC.

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Dana White Blasts Referee of Mayweather-Ortiz Fight

Dana White is not afraid to let the world know what he is feeling. He recently took to Twitter to vent his feelings about the referee that officiated the recent boxing matchup between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Victor Ortiz.Mayweather knocked out Ortiz o…

Mayweather knocked out Ortiz on Saturday to remain undefeated, capturing the WBC welterweight title. But the finish came in a very controversial fashion.

After an intentional head-butt from Ortiz, the fight was temporarily stopped by referee Joe Cortez. Whilst Cortez was docking a point from Ortiz, his eyesight was averted from the fighters. Ortiz, meanwhile, was apologizing to Mayweather for the foul and the two fighters touched gloves to resume fighting.

Whilst Ortiz stepped back with his guard down, Mayweather caught Ortiz with a left/right combo that left him down for the count.

However, the referee had not seen what had taken place and had to stop the fight.

Mayweather has defended the decision and stated that Ortiz should not have left his guard down.

Dana White was quick to take to Twitter to criticize the referee:

Was that NUTS or what!?!? Dirty from both fighters and the most HORRIBLE refereeing I have EVER seen in boxing or anywhere else.

White felt that both fighters should have been walked to their respective corners, with the fight restarted properly:

Ref never sent a fighter to a neutral corner to take a point. Especially after an intentional headbutt. That’s why you have a ref!

You can’t blame the fighters. The ref is in there to stop that **** from happening. That is the worst ref’n I have ever seen in boxing EVER.

The controversy surrounding the fight continues to rage on.

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