BROWN GUERRERO said:
MMA takes more skill btw. Multiple combat aspects to learn, not just stand up striking. Plus who wants to see 2 guys hug each other 60% of the fight? Theres no skill involved in hugging, unlike grappling... Snoozefest.
edit- another good point is there are plenty of pro mma fighters who are pro boxers, but how many pro boxers are pro mma fighters.....?
Brown, I respect your opinion. But I believe that boxing is actually more challenging, because of the limitations. Plus, the level of competition is much higher in boxing, simply because there are much more boxers, than there are MMA fighters.
You've probably all seen this, but its a pro MMA fighter, basically speaking on the difference between a pro boxer, and a pro MMA fighter:
"A lot of people are picking Liddell to win because of the popularity of the UFC. Everybody is on a UFC kick. I'm an MMA guy and I'm telling you that Liddell would not win this fight. I've sparred in the gym with light heavyweight boxers and I've sparred in the gym with MMA fighters who were light heavyweights. There is a big difference in punching power and accuracy. These guys (boxers) are trained for years to do one thing right, punch. Morrison is a very big puncher. He doesn’t have to land clean to win. If he caught Liddell with just a glancing blow with a pair of 4-ounce gloves, he would still knock him out," he said.
"A lot of people don't realize how hard it is to become a successful professional boxer. It's very, very hard and not too many amateurs or Olympic athletes make it in the pro ranks. It's much harder to become a good boxer, than it is to become a great mixed martial arts fighter."
The bold coming straight out of the mouth of a professional MMA fighter.
Now as far as which one I like better.
I've grown up watching boxing, and just recently started getting more into MMA, after watching it in its infant years in the 90's. I love boxing, and MMA is really starting to grow on me as well...I don't feel like I have to choose one or the other really.