Is Boxing getting more attention than MMA?

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and Boxing are two sports that have a long and storied history. They are similar in that they both involve two people fighting in a ring or cage, but they are different in terms of their rules, regulations, and popularity.

MMA is a relatively new sport, having only been around for about 30 years. MMA is a full-contact sport that allows a wide range of fighting techniques, including striking and grappling.

Boxing, on the other hand, is an ancient sport with origins dating back to Greece. It is a stand-up striking sport that is governed by a set of rules and regulations. Boxing is more popular than MMA in terms of global participation and media coverage.

This is despite the fact that fans consider MMA to be the purest form of fighting. So why does boxing get more attention than MMA?

There are a few reasons for this. First, boxing has been around for much longer than MMA and has a rich history and tradition. Second, it is a more mainstream sport than MMA and thus gets more media coverage. Third, the public perception of boxing is generally positive, while the public perception of MMA is mixed.

Boxing vs MMA history

While the origins of boxing are lost in the mists of time, it is known that the sport was included in the ancient Olympic Games in Greece. Boxing has been a popular sport ever since, with professional boxing organisations springing up all over the world.

MMA, on the other hand, is a relatively new sport. Perhaps the first organised MMA event took place in Japan in 1976, when Muhammad Ali fought Antonio Inoki in a mix styles match.

However, it was not until the early 1990s that MMA began to gain popularity, with the advent of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). The UFC is a mixed martial arts organisation that hosts events all over the world.

Boxing vs MMA media coverage

Media coverage of boxing is also much more extensive than that of MMA. Boxing is covered by all the major networks, including ESPN, Fox Sports, and HBO. Major news outlets such as The New York Times and The Washington Post also cover the sport extensively.

In contrast, despite the growing trend of betting on MMA matches, the sport is still mostly covered by niche media outlets such as MMA Junkie and Sherdog. It does not have nearly the same level of media coverage as boxing.

This is likely because boxing is a more mainstream sport than MMA. Boxing has been around for much longer and thus has a larger fan base. Boxing also tends to generate more revenue than MMA, which makes it more attractive to networks and news outlets.

Boxing vs MMA public perception

The public perception of boxing is generally positive. Boxing is seen as a sport of skill and discipline, with boxers being held in high esteem.

MMA, on the other hand, is often seen in a negative light. Despite the fact that MMA  fighters are equally or even more highly trained than boxers, the sport is often associated with violence and brutality, which turns some people off. It is also considered to be a less serious sport than boxing, although this perception is changing thanks to the standardisation of rules.

Boxing gets more attention than MMA because it is a more traditional sport with a longer history. It is also more mainstream and thus gets more media coverage. The public perception of boxing is also generally positive. However, MMA is considered to be the purest form of fighting, which may give it an edge in the future. In fact,  MMA is already starting to close the gap in terms of media coverage and public perception. It is only a matter of time before MMA catches up to boxing in terms of popularity.