By: Sean Crose
I’m typically requested why I want boxing to combined martial arts. I at all times reply with the maybe imprecise assertion that boxing is cleaner. And by clear I don’t imply morally clear. Certainly the forces behind, say, UFC are maybe much less shady than the forces behind skilled boxing. What I imply by cleaner is sharper. Blended martial arts could be explosive, and the fighters have extra weapons to work with, corresponding to kicks and takedowns, however what makes me want boxing can greatest be understood watching Jaron “Boots” Ennis in motion. That is notably true in terms of Ennis’ extraordinary efficiency towards Eimantas Stanionis this previous week in Atlantic Metropolis.
Stanionis, who held the the WBA welterweight title was no joke. He was a excessive stress, undefeated world champion. There was strong cause to consider beforehand that the assured Lithuanian simply may pull off the upset. It clearly wasn’t meant to be. Why? As a result of IBF champion Ennis was that significantly better. There have been occasions throughout Saturday’s throwdown the place it appeared like the 2 males shouldn’t be sharing the identical ring, so huge was the distinction in expertise and skill. Stanionis was and is an excellent fighter – nevertheless it’s time to confess Ennis may be an important one.
Saturday’s combat wasn’t a brawl, nevertheless it was thrilling and showcased the type of efficiency one simply gained’t see in an octagon. For Ennis was capable of preserve distance, keep away from getting hit and ship clear pictures of his personal. Stanionis had his moments, however they by no means amounted to something. And, in the long run, Stanionis’ nook determined to cease the combat for the sake of their battered fighter’s well being. It was a smart and safety-minded choice. It was additionally a real star marking efficiency from Philadelphia’s Ennis, top-of-the-line the game has offered to followers this yr.
Ennis isn’t the type of fighter who one may think about efficiently making the swap from boxing to combined martial arts, because the legendary Holly Holm did. The person performs greatest beneath the demanding guidelines of boxing, the place fists and footwork do the heavy lifting. The one factor the person has in widespread together with his combined martial arts counterparts is a capability to finish fights early. Ennis is much from a slick defensive minded fighter. Slightly, he’s’ one who employs a mixture of fluidity and energy. It’s a powerful factor to see…and a pointy showcase of how hovering the game of boxing could be.
