哈顿：拳击和MMA可以共存

wei1974 · 发表于 2011-10-7 12:47:36

本帖最后由 wei1974 于 2011-10-7 12:48 编辑

哈顿和UFC “神童”BJ Penn。

Boxing and MMA can co-exist - Hatton

Former two-weight world champion Ricky Hatton believes boxing can learn a lot from mixed martial arts, admitting the atmosphere at an MMA event "sells".

Hatton was one of Britain's most successful and popular boxers, winning 45 of 47 fights before calling time on his 14-year professional career in July.

The Mancunian, who last fought over two years ago, is busy running his own promotional company, Hatton Promotions, but the former light-welterweight champion remains close to the sport, despite revealing his growing affection for MMA.

"Mixed martial arts wasn't seen as too popular, but the more it's getting bigger and bigger all the time and the more you look into it - first, I just thought it was people rolling about on the floor on top of each other," Hatton told fighthubtv.

"As it gets more popular, you look into it a little bit more scientifically, and there is a lot more to it. It's not just about standing there using your feet and your fists. It's about getting your opponent on the floor and putting them in a certain move, which is a work of art in its own right.

"The more I watch it, I have become much more of a fan. The more popular it gets, the more I'll get into it. These are proper professional athletes now, and they work hard. They dedicate themselves at it."

There are concerns that boxing and MMA cause split loyalties for combat sport fans, but Hatton feels the two can run alongside each other.

"Boxing will always have its own audience," Hatton said. "There is room for both sports. Boxing is one sport. Mixed martial arts is another one. Boxing can learn from mixed martial arts. They create an atmosphere with the ring entrances and the music and everything like that. You gotta put something out there that sells."