With the Tyson Fury vs Francis Ngannou event, we had another big MMA star step into the boxing ring. And over the past few years, this has become a common trend. So we look at the possible reasons why MMA fighters switch to boxing while boxers never move to MMA.
READ ALSO: Boxing News: Why Is Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou The Biggest Crossover
Conor McGregor was the first MMA fighter to crossover into the boxing realm. And the former UFC double champion took on Floyd Mayweather in a historic event. Since then, fighters like Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Nate Diaz, and now Francis Ngannou have laced up the boxing gloves. However, none of the big names in boxing have dared to crossover into MMA.
Why MMA Stars Step Into Boxing Rings, While Boxers Shy Away From the MMA Octagon?
The reason why MMA fighters move to boxing but boxers don’t move to MMA
The easiest and most obvious reason is the payday. Boxing is still the bigger and more lucrative sport. Fighters competing in the main event of a boxing event will earn much more than MMA fighters in PPV main events.
According to reports, Francis Ngannou earned a guaranteed purse of $8 million against Tyson Fury. In addition, the Cameroonian will get his share of the PPV. However, if you look at his entire earnings in MMA, Ngannou earned less than $4 million.
Another obvious reason is the different disciplines one has to learn. To compete in MMA, fighters have to be able to grapple, kick, and box. Training camps are harder and more complicated because of this. Moreover, skills like grappling take years to master. And the best in MMA have been doing it for years.
However, MMA fighters also train boxing. While it is never their main area, it is something they do throughout their careers. Therefore, it is easier for them to switch. Boxers trying to learn to grapple when they have never done it will take years. There is a risk of losing their reputation and the legacy they built up in boxing.
And finally, another reason why we think it is easier for MMA fighters to enter the ring is the risk. MMA is a high-risk sport. The four-ounce gloves, the increased possibility of injury, and the gruesome incidents in the octagon are all part and parcel of the sport.
While boxing is in no way a safe sport, it is comparatively safer. The ten-ounce gloves make a big difference. Moreover, not having to worry about leg kicks and chokes is a nice thought. Especially for those in the twilight of their careers. A safer fight for more money, it’s a no-brainer. However, boxers taking up a riskier fight for less money would be ludicrous.
What do you make of this situation? Why do you think MMA fighters switch to boxing while boxers do not crossover to MMA?
