After the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou fight, we look at the trend of boxers avoiding the Octagon while mixed martial artists turn to boxing. Please read here
Another major MMA star took to the boxing ring for the Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou event. And in recent years, this has become a common trend. So let’s take a look at the possible reasons why an MMA fighter converts to boxing while a boxer doesn’t convert to his MMA.
Also read: Boxing News: Why Tyson Fury vs. Francis Ngannou is the biggest crossover
Conor McGregor was the first mixed martial artist to enter the world of boxing. The former two-time UFC champion then faced off against 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, not one of the biggest names in boxing has dared to try his hand at making the transition to MMA.
Why do mixed martial arts stars step into the boxing ring while boxers shy away from the mixed martial arts octagon?
The simplest and most obvious reason is payday. Boxing remains the bigger and more lucrative sport. A fighter who competes in the main event of a boxing tournament earns much more than his MMA fighter in the PPV main event.
Francis Ngannou is said to have earned $8 million in guaranteed prize money for his fight with Tyson Fury. Additionally, Cameroonians will receive a share of the PPV. However, when considering the income he earned from mixed martial arts, Ngannou’s income was less than his $4 million.
Another obvious reason is that the areas you have to study are different. To compete in MMA, a fighter must be able to fight, kick, and box. This makes training camps more difficult and complicated. Additionally, skills such as grappling take years to master. And the best fighters in MMA have been doing it for years.
However, mixed martial artists also train in boxing. It’s not their main field, but it’s something they work on throughout their careers. Therefore, change is easier for them. A boxer who has never wrestled before and wants to learn wrestling will take years. They risk losing their boxing reputation and legacy.
And finally, another reason we think it’s easier for MMA fighters to get into the ring is risk. MMA is a high-risk sport. Four-ounce gloves, increased risk of injury, and tragic incidents in the Octagon are all part of the sport.
Boxing is by no means a safe sport, but it is relatively safe. 10oz gloves make a big difference. Plus, it’s a great idea to not have to worry about leg kicks or choking. Especially for someone at the end of their career. Definitely fight to get more money, that’s natural. But if boxers were to take on more risky fights for less money, it would be foolish.
What do you think about this situation? Why do you think boxers don’t switch to MMA but MMA fighters switch to boxing?
