Two years after the question of Mixed Martial Arts vs Boxing was first uncorked, it has become apparent that MMA has taken over many of boxing's greatest venues and done it with the style and flair that attracted people to boxing as a form of entertainment in the first place. The UFC in particular as a promoter has forced the professional boxing world to step up its game to compete with the growing popularity of the sport. Although boxing officials and analysts say that MMA hasn't taken any of boxing's fans outside of the young white male demographic, many agree that current MMA venues are much more exciting than their boxing counterparts due to the fast paced action and little down time between bouts. Royce Feour, a reporter for ESPN says "...Since then I've attended two UFC cards in Las Vegas as a spectator and enjoyed the action. There is always something happening at a UFC card: The UFC makes great use of its video on giant screens to show interviews and highlights between fights. Gone are the sometimes lengthy "dead" times between fights where nothing is happening like in boxing." According to Marc Ratner, former head of the Nevada Gaming Commission, ""There is plenty of room for both sports," Ratner said. "To me, it's like soccer and rugby. They are different sports. But you can love them both equally." However, only time will tell if Mr. Ratner is correct.
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/boxing/columns/story?id=3204784
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