Kermit Cintron and Others Capable of Transition from Boxing to MMA

Its becoming a tiresome debate already.

How would your favorite boxer do against your favorite mixed martial artist?

Should Anderson Silva fight Roy Jones Jr. in a boxing ring?

Should Kimbo Slice fight Mike Tyson in a boxing match or in an MMA event?

Several MMA fighters have fought as pro boxers, although not many pro boxers have seemed too eager to step into the realm of MMA. With MMA PPV buys and salaries increasing, more and more boxers are considering taking the challenge.

Here is my take on three world class boxers that have a high chance of achieving success in MMA.

Kermit Cintron-

At just under 6"0 and fighting at 147lbs in boxing, Kermit would almost certainly compete at 155 in MMA. He is a former IBF welterweight titlist, and wrestled in high school. He was reportedly offered scholarships to wrestle at Ohio State and Wisconsin but turned them down to box full time.

Kermit is tall, lanky, and has one punch knockout power with his right hand. He is 29-2 as a pro with 27 knockouts. Last year when Floyd Mayweather suggested that any boxer could fight in MMA, Dana White issued a challenge for Floyd to fight Sean Sherk. While Floyd didn't answer that challenge, Kermit stepped up and agreed to fight Sherk until his promoter axed the fight.

Kermit is only 28, and has time to make the transition. Right now, it seems only his boxing contract and questions over financial compensation are keeping him out of the octagon.

David Haye-

David Haye is 6"3' and is the Ring Magazine Cruiserweight Champion of the World. He holds a professional boxing record of 21-1 with 20 knockouts. He has recently said he will vacate his Cruiserweight title in order to move up to heavyweight and challenge the titleholders there.

He trained in Judo as a teen and his father was a Taekwondo instructor. The gym that he trains at also is home to MMA, and he trains Jiu Jitsu. He has expressed interest in fighting in the UFC, and could compete at 205 or at heavyweight.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Does he really need any introduction? He is considered by many to be the pound for pound best boxer in the world today. He is undefeated, at 39-0 with 25 knockouts. He has hinted he may retire from boxing, and may be seeking new challenges.

He is only 5"8, and fights at 147, so he would be small at 155 in the UFC. He is 31, and its debatable whether that is too old to start the learning curve. He turned down Dana White's challenge to fight Sean Sherk last year but has been affiliated with Mark Cuban and HDNet, and has expressed interest in getting into MMA.

Of all these fighters, Kermit Cintron is possibly the biggest threat in the Octagon. If he could get with a good team, work his ground game enough to avoid submissions, and can avoid takedowns, I cant imagine who could strike with him at 155.

David Haye may just be running off at the mouth, but considering he is looking for new challenges, he could pose a problem for any heavyweight with his fast hands. He would have to dedicate a lot more of his time to Jiu Jitsu, and someone would need to teach him how to wrestle, but at only 27, he has the time to learn. I would be more confident in his success at 205 if he were willing to continue fighting there.

Floyd almost certainly is the biggest longshot of the three. His age, small size, and large monetary demands make it nearly impossible to think he would compete at a high level in MMA. If he did, I would think it would most certainly be against limited opposition at a startup promotion for a ton of money. He has done the most talking about fighting in the octagon of the three, but is the least likely to step up to the plate.

While the debate between which is better will continue on between boxing and MMA fans, maybe more fighters will cross over and then the sports can share fans. That way everybody wins.