Boxing vs. MMA: Combat Cousins

by Troy J. Hines


Sibling rivalries are common place within families that are loving or dysfunctional. Whether children compete for their mother’s attention, the last “swallow” of orange juice, or the title of “alpha male of the youth division”, competition is as natural in the home as it is inside of the ring. There is now a symbolic rivalry that has emerged, and has been brewing like a good stout over the last decade. Boxing vs. Mixed Martial Arts (MMA).

It seems as though the “octagon” has captured the attention of the younger generation with a product that is exciting, and with less constraints then its “older cousin”--boxing. The rules of MMA allow combatants to use any variety of kick boxing, striking, grappling, ground-and-pound, wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques. This concept is amazing, but often times yields “amateur-esque” bouts, due to a lack of proficiency by at least one fighter, in one of the many disciplines allowed.

As an avid boxing fan and martial artist, I have always wondered what the sport will look like in 20 years, when 6 year-olds have been practicing all aspects of their art form, instead of putting combat “puzzle pieces” together late in life? I constantly see great wrestlers with appalling kick boxing and boxing technique, and great kick boxers with less than average “roll” ability. The younger generation will need more experience to develop a keen eye for mistakes, and more than a “jack of all trades, master of none” training regimen.

As an Olympic and truly global sport, boxers have been training in the “Modern Sweet Science” (MSS) since John Graham Chambers wrote the Marquess of Queensberry rules in 1865. If we dig deeper, we will find that an archaic form of boxing was an Olympic sport in Greece in 688 B.C., better known as “pygmachia”. Mastery of the jab, over hand right/left, hooks, uppercuts, slipping, crouching, parrying, ducking, footwork, and countering are all subsets of the skill set of boxing. With far more constraints than its “combat cousin”, MMA, it allows boxers more time to perfect their techniques with razor sharp accuracy. I think it is safe to say that a 21 year-old man with zero experience in boxing, will never be able to compete at the pro level after only two years of training in the sport. However, we do see examples of MMA fighters rise to celebrity status with laughable amateur backgrounds. I believe it is actually the constraints of boxing, which begets skill, that make the sport so great.

Rules, or constraints, are what differentiate actual combat from combat sports. In the octagon, if a man wants to shoot and take me to the ground, I will counter with a downward vertical elbow strike to the back of the head or neck. Unfortunately for me, I would be disqualified, and the winner would be rendered unconscious or worse. In my opinion, so called “no holds barred fighting” have constraints that primarily benefit the ground fighter. If it is truly “no holds barred”, allow a striker to strike, eye gouge, or bite if necessary! Just joking. I guess my issue is that due to the numerous kinds of joint locks and chokes allowed, why can’t a striker hit what may be exposed if MMA rests its invincibility on the lack of constraints it possesses?

My love of boxing, although not equal to any other sport, is similar to my love of Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. As far as sports are concerned, I suppose this makes me a purist. If I want to see elite level kick boxing, I will watch Buakaw Por Pramuk of Thailand, and if I want to see impressive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu I will watch Roger Gracie. These specialized art forms take a long time to perfect, so to add other skill sets to the “recipe”, can hinder the development of the practitioner in a specific discipline.

In addition, footwork in combat sports is essential to the proper execution of various offensive and defensive techniques. The footwork necessary for boxing, kick boxing, wrestling, judo, etc. are all different. How can a practitioner of 2-4 years of training believe that they have mastered the footwork of all “martial” disciplines? The legendary 17th century Japanese samurai, Miyamoto Musashi, who also authored “The Book of Five Rings”, said it took him nearly 50 years to understand the meaning of what it meant to be a “martial artist”.

Believe it or not, boxing is also a martial art, and a solid amateur foundation provides the nurturing needed to develop elite level fighters. In MMA, most fighters turn pro after 20 fights or less, while in boxing an amateur career of 50 or more fights is customary for elite level champions. In addition, the development of sportsmanship that is stressed to the youth participants in boxing creates a culture that is aligned with the Olympic spirit.

Sometimes respect is the best thing parents can teach a child. Respect for their elders, respect for their teachers, and respect for their siblings. I have enjoyed watching the “little brother” grow, and hopefully the product of MMA will continue to get better and better. My love of the sport of boxing is also coupled with the historic figures associated with it. As a boxer, Muhammad Ali has done so much since the Civil Rights era, to help our nation move forward and stay true to the Constitution that governs our country. Ali is just one example of many boxers that have influenced the world.

Ironically, respect is the element that is missing from the sport called MMA, whereby traditionally respect and martial arts go hand-in-hand. This is more of a product of its ownership, than of the disciplines it governs. Perhaps a step in the right direction is for the caged combatants to bow to each other before the bouts. “Martial Arts” is a heavy phrase, with heavy hands, and the disrespect of the word should have heavy consequences. A lack of respect of MMA for boxing, or boxing for MMA will leave the “Combat Family” with a heavy heart. I hope the youth are listening; there are some great elite level prizefights on the horizon. Watch boxing young grasshopper. Watch boxing.