Being a fan of both sports, I have often pondered the above question. In the past, while searching Youtube, I have found myself guilty of viewing videos titled MMA vs Boxing. When reading the comments I am surprised to see the disdain and lack of respect that both sets of fans have for each other, and their respective sports, and so was born the idea for this post.
THE FIGHTERS
Both sports at their core are very similar. They attract the same types of individuals to their ranks. Tough men and women, the vast majority of who where forged in underprivileged areas in times of great hardships. They are the modern day warriors and gladiators, those among us, who are willing to push their body's beyond the limits of the average, spill their own blood and guts and risk their own wellbeing in order to raise themselves and their loved ones from modest beginnings. And almost all of them live by the 3D code, discipline, dedication and determination.
THE FANS
The fans also have a lot in common, they admire these warriors for their supreme abilities to do the things that they themselves can only dream of. They enjoy the skill sets involved. The speed. The athleticism. The strength of body, and of character. The defiance and the intelligence to make strategies and then adapt those strategies round by round, all in the hope of having their hand raised in victory at the end of the contest. To a degree they also enjoy the danger and the violence. They are passionate, loyal and highly opinionated, and yet despite these similarities, they seem to dislike each other immensely.
THEORY
My theory derives from the observation of other sports and their fans. If you look at soccer for instance, and in particular the English premiership. The most successful team in the last 20 years is Manchester United. Since the 96-97 season they have won 10 league titles, 3 F.A. Cups, 4 league cups, 8 charity shields, 2 champions leagues and 1 Europa league. Due to this success they are universally hated by the fans of every other team in English Football.
Everybody wants to be successful in everything they do, and being unable to achieve it, we have the tendency to become jealous of those who have it. Success breeds contempt.
THE REASON
Boxing, is the current long reigning pound for pound champion of combat sports. It was king long before MMA was even a conception, and is still king today. Ahhhh......., I can almost hear the gasps and heated protests of any MMA fans who take the time to read this, but please remember my very first sentence, I am a fan of both sports. Boxing has a larger audience and the money involved dwarfs that of anything that MMA is currently capable of generating.
MMA fans understandably want their sport to be king, and boxing fans lord it over them. No one set of supporters is at fault, for the problem lies in the attitudes of both armies of fans, but at the end of the day, it is jealousy of Boxing's success that infuriates MMA fans. Try to remember, boxing has paved the way for combats sports, bringing it to the masses, and without boxing, MMA probably wouldn't exist, so fans should always show it the respect that it deserves.
CONCLUSION
Why can't we all just get along? Because it would be boring that's why.
For now, Boxing is king, but it better watch its back, because heavy is the crown, and weary is the head that wears it. There is a young, strong, hungry contender in town who is learning from all your mistakes, its time you learn too. Adapt or die.
PERSONAL NOTE
I often hear MMA fighters say "I really admire/respect boxers, but". If you admire something, then there is no but, you admire it and that's it. Myself I admire anyone who climbs into a ring, a cage or onto a mat, be it for 3 minutes, 5 minutes or a points based competition. I admire anyone who dedicates themselves to something in the pursuit of bettering themselves in any way, shape or form, be it physical, educational or spiritual. There is no but.
full steem ahead. choo. choo.