Conor McGregor’s incipient match up with boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jr. has started a heated discussion between the MMA and boxing communities. While many MMA fans are seemingly excited for the cross-promotional event, some boxing fans seem to find the match up borderline offensive to the sport. Now, UFC analyst and former competitor Dan Hardy has come forward with his thoughts on the situation.
In a recent interview with MMA Junkie, Dan Hardy explained that he does not believe boxers are truly fighters anymore. However, the former UFC competitor has a different thought concerning mixed martial artists.
“You’ve got to think that, up until the emergence of mixed martial arts, boxers were fighters. If you were a boxer, you were considered a fighter, but now you’re not. If you’re a boxer, you’re a boxer, but if you’re an MMA practitioner, you are a fighter.
He continued, “That’s a strong difference there, because a lot of people get into boxing for the tough guy aspect, which is kind of diminished now when there’s someone who can kick you in the leg, take you down and strangle you.”
