Quote:
Originally Posted by Splinter
Yea, I guess you can't really compare the two, though it's pretty tempting. I think, as opposed to what you've said, you can place a great boxer...let's take Roy Jones Jr. - pit him against a decent MMA fighter, and I don't think that Roy Jones would last.
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It is really hard to compare the two because there are no stand up fighters in MMA that can match the stand up abilities of a great boxer such as Roy Jones Jr. in his prime.
Just from watching the two, even great stand up fighters in the MMA have very sluggish hand speed and coordination versus someone like Roy Jones. Reaction time and footwork also are in advantage of the boxer ("Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee). I think Roy Jones would be quick enough to get away from the shoot and punching power and accuracy would be more than enough deal with any one coming towards him. Power, is debatable; however, I wouldn't want to get hit by a punch from Roy Jones Jr. when you take those big boxing gloves off (Now imagine Iron Mike Tyson back in the 80's delivering a clean hit with a bare fist). And of course there is the issue of stamina and endurance. Boxers are trained to for 12 - 3 minute rounds.
After all, you pay for what you get. A great boxer gets paid millions for a single fight whereas how much does an MMA fighter make?
In my opinion, someone of Roy Jones Jr.'s calibre is too much for an MMA fighter.
But to give MMA fighters their credit; if a grappler did manage to get inside and get a good hold of the boxer or even take him to the ground, the boxer would no longer stand any chance. (But I think it'd be too difficult to do that to a GREAT boxer.)
(Just my opinion, don't get pissed off.)