Don't Do It Ricky Hatton!

Perhaps i am being ignorant and wont allow myself to enjoy MMA being a traditionalist boxing fan.But as i say i respect your views and its clearly a 'sport' thats on the up within the fighting fraternity so all power to you,its just not for me

One more point though regarding RJJ.Do you think he's interested in fighting De Silva as his sandtimer as a boxer has elapsed,much like Enzo Macarinelli wanted to fight Michael Bisping recently?

Basically could MMA become a haven for washed up,has been boxers no longer able to mix it at the highest level in boxing but fancying their chances at a less skilled sport?

I think even elite pugilists would struggle against maybe a mid-level MMA fighter with half a decent ground game. Former WBO Heavyweight Champion Ray Mercer (who fought Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Larry Hoilmes and Tommy Morrison in his prime as a boxer) has tried his hand at MMA and struggled against Kimbo (albeit a brawler, he has a developing ground game) and Kimbo beat him in just over a minute with a guillotine choke. But he did beat Tim Syllvia in 9 seconds, although Syllvia is an out and out brawler. If suitably matched against someone who is purely a brawler, a boxer should come out on top as he has better striking, but thats in one fight. To try and become a top level fighter based on boxing skills alone would be nigh on impossible as you would eventually come up against a hybrid fighter who would tie you in knots. Eric Esch (Butterbean) has a decent record in MMA, 15-6-1, and other than the brutal ground and pound he suffered at the hand of Georgian wrestler Tengiz Tedoradze, all his losses have come by submission. But Esch is not, and will never be a top level MMA fighter.

I don't see MMA as being less skilled as boxing, in fact, I see at being more skilled as to get to the highest level of the sport, as I've said you have to be skilled in a number of disciplined rather than just one.

Thats not to take anything away from the sweet science, as it's a sport I very much enjoy, but for personal preference it's MMA for me. The range of fight endings is vast, ranging from KO's to submissions of many varieties. Even a mid-level fighter such as Jon Jones (who's erratic style of mixed striking and wrestling is a joy to behold) and Dustin Hazelett (who's submissions are phenomenal) are as fun to watch as the top fighters such as Silva, GSP, Lesner et al. With boxing, the interest is mainly in the top fights, the Mayweathers, the Pacquiaos, the Hayes, the Klitchkos. Not so much the Courtney Fry's, the Graham Earls, the Carl Bakers, even the John McDermott's of this world.

The lads piled on the stones and his considering a comeback!

He wa a great fighter to watch but sadly one dimensional. He lost to the two best boxers in the world at the moment in Manny and Foyd so there's no shame in that really.

He says he doesn't want fans to remember him as a loser but if he does make a comeback it's gonna be embarressing.

Don't do it Ricky Boy

perhaps he spent all his cash on pies and now he needs one more pay day

The lads piled on the stones and his considering a comeback!

He wa a great fighter to watch but sadly one dimensional. He lost to the two best boxers in the world at the moment in Manny and Foyd so there's no shame in that really.

He says he doesn't want fans to remember him as a loser but if he does make a comeback it's gonna be embarressing.

Don't do it Ricky Boy

perhaps he spent all his cash on pies and now he needs one more pay day

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