Over the past several years, boxing has seen a remarkable resurgence in both viewership and participation. The sport’s popularity has skyrocketed, likely in part due to the rise of “influencer boxing,” where organized fights amongst popular internet figures garner massive attention and millions in pay-per-view sales. As boxing gains more[Read More…]
Combat Sports
Ronda Rousey and the challenge of getting back up after a fall
Ronda Rousey’s long-anticipated comeback to UFC fighting came to a rapid halt in a 48-second technical knockout at the hands of defending UFC champion Amanda Nunes. The Dec. 30 fight marked another major setback in Rousey’s tumultuous career. After a meteoric rise to UFC and global stardom, Rousey lost her[Read More…]
The cautionary tale of UFC’s Jon Jones
Jones’ highly publicized downfall has been just as rapid as his hard-fought rise. He isn’t exactly a poster boy as far as sports idols go. Jones’ weaknesses don’t lie in the technical areas of the sport itself, but rather his recklessness and lack of discipline. To see an athlete so technically gifted hindered by poor choices is truly disheartening for all fans of the sport. Jones has had numerous chances to redeem himself, but has failed to do so on all occasions. It could be argued that given his various incidents–including a hit and run in 2015–Jones shouldn’t even be allowed in the octagon.
MMA vs Boxing: The rise of the ants
“Elephants don’t beef with ants. An elephant is so large it doesn’t even see ants,” commented boxer Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. on a potential fight with mixed martial arts (MMA) star Conor McGregor. Although an argument could be made that boxing was bigger than MMA 10 years ago, Mayweather Jr.’s[Read More…]