Interesting, Bill. My friend and I had the same conversation this morning about Foreman, who we both agree could have been much greater in his prime than he was. Great minds.......... :lol:
George and BT, I'm not challenging your loyalty to UFC. I'm only stating my opinion. I actually agree that boxing is a dying sport for many reasons, not the least of which is the suceptibility to serious injuries. However, for you to assume that a boxer would not match up with a UFC fighter in a last man standing fight sounds more like a "my dad can whip your dad" comment than fact. UFC fighters are not boxers. They are street fighters. A UFC fighter very well may get an edge on a boxer, but to do so he would have to avoid being dominated by the boxer and prevented from using his other skills. I've watched some UFC. When they are punching, they are strictly on the offensive, looking for the opportunity to kick or grab. They have no defense. It's during this part of the fight that they are vulnerable to an experienced boxer. If they survive this part of the fight, they very well may have an advantage. Who knows? Maybe some day we'll see a match between a good boxer and a good UFC fighter.
I think that may be the view of many but in fact these guys are highly skilled, highly trained and conditioned fighters in all aspects of the game. Many were highly successful collegiate wrestlers - several were national champions/all americans - and/or amateur boxers, now experts in many of the varieties of the martial arts - jiu jitsu, muay thai, karate, judo, tae kwon do and kickboxing. Many are highly skilled boxers, but have the added advantage of a vastly broader array of weapons at their disposal. I'm with Krebsie, it is inconceivable to me that any boxer would walk out of the octagon without having been put to sleep first.......just too many weapons -v- the boxers one-dimensional skill set. Indeed, several boxers have attempted to make the transition, none with great success to my knowledge. But that said, it's a different sport......it's not unlike the time Wilt Chamberlain was considering a fight with Ali until one of his advisors asked him how he thought Ali would fare in a game of one-on-one basketball.....Chamberlain then wisely declined the fight.