UFC Quick Quote: Bill Simmons is my hero

by MMAmania.com on Apr 26, 2007 9:35 AM EDT in UFC News

bill simmons talks about ufc and boxing

"Boxing could have staved off its decline, at least a little, with a UFC-like business plan that included a constant presence on one cable network, one loaded PPV card per month, one championship belt per division, better marketing and promotion, and a charismatic, accountable leader like Dana White. But it's a pipe dream, and we know it: Too many dirtbags make too much money feeding off the perpetual disorganization and lawlessness, so that's how things will stay. The sport resembles a broken-down mansion that seems as if it can be salvaged -- right until the housing inspector tells you about the water-damaged walls and termite-infested foundation rotted to the core."

-- ESPN Page 2 columnist Bill Simmons on the need to overhaul the current professional boxing landscape using some of the methods implemented by the UFC, because the upcoming Oscar De La Hoya-Floyd Mayweather bout on May 5 will be the sport's "Last Big Fight."

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Comments

Rofl, talk about to the point and brash.

by Luppers on Apr 26, 2007 9:57 AM EDT reply actions

Bill Simmons is a champ

by Payne on Apr 26, 2007 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

Talk about “na na na na, na na na, hey hey hey, good bye”

by DiscussUFC.com on Apr 26, 2007 10:33 AM EDT reply actions

I’m not really one for hating boxing, even though I find it less and less entertaining the more MMA I watch, but this guy is absolutely right. Instead of trying to trash MMA, boxing should try to cash in on the added exposure to pro fights MMA has created. Maybe they think they are by trashing it, but it’s definitely not working.

by Mahde on Apr 26, 2007 10:41 AM EDT reply actions

If boxing was great on the 80:s and 90:s it gonna be mma for a while now i think… But what next? Murder in the ring maybe? Folks allways looking for some new and exciting same as i do..

by plotze on Apr 26, 2007 10:54 AM EDT reply actions

Maybe the money bag Ferreta’s should buy up some of the top boxing shows and turn that sport around… I’ll happily take over Dana Whites Job if they need him to head up the transformation of the boxing world.

by TRavis on Apr 26, 2007 11:31 AM EDT reply actions

this guy hit the nail on the head, boxing thinks they can have one big fight every 3 years and the popularity is gonna stay the same, ufc does it right by giving fans big fights monthly and not letting scumbags like don king ruin the business side of it…

by tha spida on Apr 26, 2007 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

Ill be honest, I watch boxing more now that Im an MMA fan. Its the baseball/basketball that fills the competitive sports time between football season.

by Luppers on Apr 26, 2007 11:59 AM EDT reply actions

The worst about boxing is that the guys donÃ‚Â´t go for the kill, they hope to win the fight on points…

by plotze on Apr 26, 2007 12:05 PM EDT reply actions

The worst about boxing is that the guys donÃ‚Â´t go for the kill, they hope to win the fight on points…

seems like we’ve been getting a lot of that in the ufc lately too

by tha spida on Apr 26, 2007 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

Well Said

by Stafo on Apr 26, 2007 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, and what about Herb Dean in the Werdum vs Arlovski fight, is that a new rule in the UFC. What did he meen actually?

by plotze on Apr 26, 2007 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

Agreed to make tools in the boxing world, they could learn a lot from dana.

by nathan on Apr 26, 2007 1:43 PM EDT reply actions

Yeah, and what about Herb Dean in the Werdum vs Arlovski fight, is that a new rule in the UFC. What did he meen actually?

i know, that surprised me for sure, i didn’t know he could take away points for no action, not that i disagree with that if it is a rule…

by tha spida on Apr 26, 2007 2:43 PM EDT reply actions

Maybe it should be yellow cards in UFC like it is in Pride…

by plotze on Apr 26, 2007 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

I was watching the Contender UK yesterday on ESPN (HD.. the only reason I watched it.) One of the fights, the ref was trying to coax the guys into actualy fighting, versus dancing. Reminded me of McCarthy in the Sylvia-Monson fight.

by Luppers on Apr 26, 2007 3:05 PM EDT reply actions

If boxing was great on the 80:s and 90:s it gonna be mma for a while now i think… But what next? Murder in the ring maybe? Folks allways looking for some new and exciting same as i do..

Nah, the concept of boxing, had it been handled better, more UFC-like, would not have come to this. MMA might still have taken over, but the promoters and everybody is more at fault than a lack of interest in the sport. Boxing is very one dimensinal next to MMA. I doubt people will ever just go, “ah mma isnt exciting anymore we need something more”

by The Anomaly on Apr 26, 2007 4:39 PM EDT reply actions