By: Sean Crose
I’m typically requested why I choose boxing to blended martial arts. I all the time reply with the maybe obscure 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 might be explosive, and the fighters have extra weapons to work with, resembling kicks and takedowns, however what makes me choose boxing can greatest be understood watching Jaron “Boots” Ennis in motion. That is notably true relating to 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 strain, undefeated world champion. There was strong cause to imagine 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 a lot better. There have been instances 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 – however it’s time to confess Ennis could be an excellent one.
Saturday’s battle wasn’t a brawl, however it was thrilling and showcased the sort of efficiency one simply received’t see in an octagon. For Ennis was capable of keep 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, ultimately, Stanionis’ nook determined to cease the battle for the sake of their battered fighter’s well being. It was a clever and safety-minded determination. It was additionally a real star marking efficiency from Philadelphia’s Ennis, among the finest the game has offered to followers this yr.
Ennis isn’t the sort of fighter who one may think about efficiently making the swap from boxing to blended martial arts, because the legendary Holly Holm did. The person performs greatest below the demanding guidelines of boxing, the place fists and footwork do the heavy lifting. The one factor the person has in frequent along with his blended martial arts counterparts is a capability to finish fights early. Ennis is much from a slick defensive minded fighter. Somewhat, 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 might be.
