Since the eruption of Mixed Martial Arts all over the world, the sport seemingly most affected would be boxing. Several boxing promoters, fighters and pundits have had much to say about the sport, particularly the high profile UFC since it began to truly take off. What began as a crude entertainment bloodfest, has become a well regulated world-wide success story. Long gone are the no-rules, the no gloves, headbutts etc that the sport's critics still seem to think exist. It had truly become a recognised sport and with it, a barrage of critics and detractors. The UFC developed the sport and became it's top promotion, with Champions Chuck Liddell and Randy Couture becoming minor celebrities, whilst over in Japan, the Pride organisation (now bought over by the UFC) was packing in thousands to their shows.

Boxing took offence and little wonder. It was reported that many young men (and women) were becoming immersed in this new sport and chose to follow or even compete in that sport rather than boxing. MMA had connected with Generation X and the sky was the limit. But has MMA done boxing harm or has it made it sit up and look at itself and its faults?

Boxing has a long, noble tradition and in its heyday most of the champions were recognisable names. That fell apart with the introduction of "alphabet" organisations, who, while offering boxers that were not quite elite level a chance of a "world" title, were also creating mediocre champions and fights. It led to the situation that the best boxers in each division were denied the chance to fight each other due to different organisations not working with each other.

MMA has always strived to pit the best fighters against one another, without the obstacles of multi-belt politics and this is a lesson even the most hardened critics have had to acknowledge. Taking this on board, it is no surprise that the elite level match ups are now being made, regardless of a title belt being on the line and that is attracting people back to boxing. Boxing's two top earners, Floyd Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya brought in record pay per view sales and Mayweather vs. British sensation Ricky Hatton drew intense media coverage in the build up and the actual fight. I believe MMA has pushed boxing from its position of laziness and contentment to try and compete for the first time against a combat sport that has caught the imagination of the world. Time will tell if the two will compete for years to come or one will extinguish the other.......

Learn more about this author, John Jamieson.
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