Ben Preiss
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 Published: Aug 12, 07 Views: 3,269 Is MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) a contender? It’s been growing steadily in popularity in the prized 18-to-34 male demographic in the last decade, pay-per-view matches are drawing big numbers and the big nod from Hollywood, MMA champs are making the Leno-Letterman talk show rounds and making guest appearances on TV shows. Take that, boxing! And what kind of wimpy sport doesn’t let you punch with your feet and choke a guy anyway?
 I think mixed martial arts is a threat to boxing in that it's giving the younger demographic another reason not to become boxing fans," Showtime boxing analyst Steve Farhood said.
Some traditionally strong boxing outlets are providing the exposure. There was a time when the Internet was the only place you could read about MMA. It's now appearing in major daily newspapers and it was recently the subject of a Sports Illustrated cover story. There was also a time that boxing was the only sport Showtime televised. The cable network now airs MMA cards. Fox and ESPN report on MMA matches and HBO, boxing's premier cable network, has been in talks with the Ultimate Fighting Championship to televise its events.
(newsday)References: msnbc.msn, newsday Filed In: |
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