MMA: 10 Boxers Who Would Kick A$$ Inside the Octagon
Ever since Georges St. Pierre put on a boxing clinic against Josh Koscheck on Dec. 11, 2010, I have been reinvigorated with optimism. Can a solid boxer actually have a chance in MMA?
Look, I’m a fan of both sports and trust me, I understand they are vastly different in composition and in execution. However, let’s examine this.
GSP without a doubt is one of the most gifted athletes in MMA. Notice I didn’t say boxer or wrestler, but athlete. It’s GSP’s athleticism that allows him to get away with the things he does.
Now that being said, he is rather good at his ground game and now with the assistance of the four-time boxing trainer of the year Freddie Roach, his stand up game is one of the best in MMA.
So let’s factor in a superior boxer, in his prime and has the chance to train and gain a somewhat average ground game. Can they dominate in MMA? I answer with a resounding yes!
So here we go folks – 10 Boxers Who Would Kick A$$ Inside the Octagon
David Haye
1 of 10
Besides being a serious threat to the Klitschko Brothers at Heavyweight, David Haye is a legitimate boxer with better than average power.
“Believe it or not, I come from a martial arts background, my father was a karate teacher, so I’ve got good legs. I’ve done judo, so I know what I’m doing. I train at a gym called the Third Space in Piccadilly which has a jiu-jitsu dojo and I get in there from time to time and have a roll around with the guys.
"They tell me I’m at a decent level, if I put some focus into it and put some time and effort into it… I’m a natural athlete, I can do anything that I want to do and I think that it would be definitely worth my while getting in to do it.
Vanes Martirosyan
2 of 10
Vanes is ranked No. 9 in the world at Light Middleweight and is currently undefeated. For those of you in Glendale California the name might sound familiar, Glendale is his home town and he just open Main Events Sports Club.
Main Events will feature boxing and MMA training. Vanes can do some real damage, he has good old-fashioned heavy hands, and the videos on YouTube prove it. He has the great combination of speed and power.
Vanes is trained by Freddie Roach however he has some close ties to those in the MMA arena. With a little ground work the MMA Light Middleweight division could be in some major trouble.
Andre Berto
3 of 10
Berto is a two-time National Golden Gloves Champion, Olympian and current undefeated WBC Welterweight champion. However, did you know both his father and brother competed professionally in Mixed Martial Arts?
Andre grew up learning and training in Martial Arts and boxing; his father did so to keep him out of trouble. Berto is the bright future of boxing but should he ever decide to turn to the Octagon, he could surely dominate there too.
Zab Judah
4 of 10
Besides being a slick fighter with very fast hands, Zab has decent footwork and upper-body movement that will allow him proper spacing to really let his hands loose.
One thing GSP showed us, a great jab can negate the shoot. In addition, Martial Arts is in his blood. Both his mother and his father were Karate fighters.
Vitali Klitschko
5 of 10
Many boxing fans don’t realize Vitali finished at 34-1-2 in European Kickboxing. That doesn’t say much for his ground game but speaks to his athleticism.
At 6’7, Klitschko would tower over most fighters in the MMA Heavyweight division, even Lesnar.
With Vitali's amazing boxing ability combined with Lesnar’s “tuck and turtle” defense. Vitali could be a major contender at Heavyweight.
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
6 of 10
Let’s face it, not only is he undefeated at 41-0, but he’s the best defensive boxer in the world today. I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say, there probably isn’t a better fighter in boxing or MMA that has a better technical “stand up” game.
That being said, can he wrestle? If the answer to that question is even "Kinda," look out!
Miguel Cotto
7 of 10
Cotto is training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu? Not quite, Cotto trained with Kurt Pellegrino to help him prepare for his match in UFC 111.
Pellegrino has always admired Cotto's body punches, there are some great videos on Youtube showing them work inside the Octagon.
Cotto at one point showed some great take down technique. If the Puerto Rican sensation ever made the leap to MMA, expect to see more fighters stopped by a left to the liver.
Nonito Donaire
8 of 10
The Filipino Flash is the biggest threat at Bantamweight and has been demolishing all comers. Many experts believe Nonito is the next Manny Pacquiao and Donaire has expressed interest in moving to MMA once he reaches his goals inside the squared circle.
The Filipino Flash has dabbled in some MMA training and has been seen at major MMA related events,
“I like Anderson Silva, I think the same way and look at things like him and GSP is Awesome. Of course Im a huge BJ Penn fan.......” I think I would try it, I’m a big fan of Fighting (sports) and It would be exciting!”
Donaire is married to Rachel Marcial-Donaire, a US Taekwondo Champion and she's not only fierce, she's hot!
Manny Pacquiao
9 of 10
Manny has become a complete boxer right before our very eyes. The fighter who struggled to pull out a split decision against Juan Manuel Marquez in 2008, is not the same fighter today.
Pacquiao is a superb athlete and has the propensity to develop into a great fighter in MMA. With the time to train in Jiu Jitsu, he could easily be a top contender at Welterweight.
KJ Noons has stated he would like to try his luck against Manny Pacquiao. I'm sorry KJ, one touch from Manny with 4-ounce gloves, goodnight!
Chris John
10 of 10
A Featherweight boxer who is taking the division by storm, he is currently undefeated at 44-0. John has taken out champions Juan Manuel Marquez and Rocky Juarez along the way.
Did I forget to mention he is on the National Indonesian Wushu team? This guy is ready for the cage right now!
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