Finally, big fight feel has come back home! Throughout pugilistic history there have been many big names and countless wars fought for pride, money, and prestige. There have been epic wars fought within the 20 by 20 ring that have inspired generations with incredible displays of the fighting spirit. The holiest of these wars and the most memorable have all taken place in the same place; “The Mecca”, the “World’s Most Famous Arena,” Madison Square Garden.
While Vegas is the capital of the fight world, Madison Square Garden is sacred ground. Vegas has seen it’s fair share of epic battles and is the place to be if you are a fight fan, but Madison Square Garden’s history and aura is on a way more spiritual level. It’s the house that Jack Dempsey built and Bruno kept in business. It’s where Ali and Frazier formed the greatest rivalry in fight history. It’s where the Raging Bull raged and the real Rocky whopped Joe Louis’ ass. And it is where the greatest spectacle known to man, Wrestlemania, was born. As a fight fan, thinking about all of the iconic moments; the blood and the sweat and the tears, it almost makes me want to start weeping like a little baby. I can only imagine how a fighter feels knowing he or she will have the privilege of doing battle on such hallowed ground.
With the legalization of MMA in New York, real big fight feel is finally back where it belongs. No more pretending we care about some Russian heavyweight defending one of a thousand belts, no more house shows, no more B+ players on an A+ stage; this time real stars are fighting for real prizes at MSG! Conor McGregor, Joanna Jedrzejczyk, Woodley and Wonderboy, Miesha Tate; true icons of modern combat take their rightful place alongside the Alis, the Fraziers, the Sugar Rays, the Sammartinos, the Marcianos, and the Hogans.
Boxing was and is the “sweet science.” It was the best sport and then it was the best pugilistic event and now it is an afterthought. In the year 2016, we must accept that Mixed Martial Arts has surpassed Boxing as the main stage for courageous warriors to demonstrate their valor. With UFC 205, at Madison Square Garden in New York City, USA; MMA officially takes over as planet Earth’s premiere combat sport.
– Alan Michael