Boxing Up 2-0 Against MMA in April
As previously mentioned, the ever-growing “Boxing vs. MMA” debate continues to rage on in the minds of many fight fans. Those who choose to dedicate the majority of their television time to Spike TV’s vast amount of programming from the UFC or rock Tapout t-shirts could make an argument for mixed martial arts as the future of combat sports. Boxing purists however favor both HBO and Showtime’s outstanding fight schedules featuring both rising talent and world champions.
One might think a national TV deal with CBS would turn out to be a good look for MMA, especially in the month of April with HBO and Showtime dishing out stellar match-ups of both high significance and possibly high action. Unfortunately for MMA fans, that’s not the case.
April 17 saw Boxing and MMA go head to head once more, this time without a pay-per-view from either side. HBO broadcast the second installment of its Emmy award-winning “24/7″ reality show featuring Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley, followed by two world championship matches starting with Lucian Bute facing the always exciting Edison “Pantera” Miranda for the IBF 168 pound title. In the main event, popular Youngstown, OH native Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik defending his Middleweight championships against slick southpaw Sergio Martinez, who was coming off an outstanding and entertaining fight against Paul Williams in which Martinez lost a close decision.
On the other side, mixed martial arts took center stage on CBS as Strikeforce broadcast a live card from Nashville, TN featuring former PRIDE 183 and 205 pound champion Dan Henderson against current Strikeforce Middleweight titleholder Jake Shields. A solid match-up, absolutely, but it was not the fight itself that bred the most interest, but rather the post-fight brawl that prompted well-known commentator Gus Johnson to try and quell tension by exclaiming “Gentlemen, we’re on national television!”
Following Shields’ impressive win over Henderson by decision, Jason “Mayhem” Miller entered the cage to ask Shields for a rematch from their November 2009 meeting. Members of Shields’ camp immediately took offense, and in the next few seconds a melee broke out that saw Miller get pummeled on the ground by a number of men, including brothers Nick and Nate Diaz. The in-cage riot drew criticism from Strikeforce rival and UFC President Dana White, as well as from the press for the unsportsmanlike and unprofessional conduct; criticism that does not help the stigma given to mixed martial arts as being “glorified street fighting”.
Boxing, on the other hand, was in fine form on HBO. Lucian Bute’s sensational third round knockout of Edison Miranda cemented him as one of, if not the best, super middleweight in the world and began talks of possible match-ups that await Bute at 168 pounds. In addition, Sergio Martinez finally reigned supreme following a controversial draw and close loss in his last two fights, and looked impressive in handily beating Kelly Pavlik into a bloody mess over 12 rounds to become the new Middleweight Champion of the world.
Don’t count out MMA just yet, however. This upcoming weekend will see a stacked WEC card featuring Jose Aldo defending his featherweight title against the popular “California Kid” Urijah Faber, as well as lightweight champion Ben Henderson taking on Donald Cerrone in a rematch of 2009′s Fight of the Year. Boxing faces stiff competition, but offers three great match-ups in response with explosive heavyweight power puncher Chris Arreola taking on former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champion Tomasz Adamek in the HBO main event, preceded by a fight that promises pure excitement as Alfred Angulo takes on Joel Julio. In addition, Showtime’s stellar “Super Six World Boxing Classic” continues as Carl Froch defends his WBC super middleweight title against Mikkel Kessler in Kessler’s native Denmark. Froch-Kessler proves to be the fight that many believe could provide the most explosiveness yet in the Super Six.
Whether you’re a boxing fan or an MMA fan, or both, excitement like this doesn’t come often. Pick a side, or simply enjoy the carnage.
