Don King speaks highly of UFC

[tn94z]

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The UFC overtaking boxing as the No. 1 pay-per-view draw in sports over the last few years has led to a number of boxing promoters taking shots at the UFC. But the most famous promoter in boxing thinks thinks it's time to learn from the UFC.

In a live chat with FanHouse readers, Don King said that UFC has been smart about putting good fights on basic cable to attract fans who will become pay-per-view customers while boxing has declined on basic cable and completely disappeared from over-the-air television.

"Unfortunately the television networks are not broadcasting the fighters and that has been a major disappointment," King said. "Dana White and Lorenzo Fertitta have done a great job with the UFC and people like what they do."

King also said the UFC has developed a fan base of people who feel like they're a part of if it, while too many boxing fans have become turned off by the perception that the best fights just won't get made.

"I think the UFC has done magnificent because they bring people together," King said. "That's what I am really very appreciative of. I think they can complement boxing. I have no problem with them. The more the merrier."

King also said he doesn't think there's any reason not to enjoy both boxing and mixed martial arts, and he said he disagrees with those who think the growth of the UFC is a threat to the future of boxing.

"Both sports go together -- no reason not to be a fan of both sports," King said. Bringing people together is what it's all about. I'm a promoter of the people, for the people and by the people. Boxing will be here yesterday today and tomorrow."

WOW!! A boxing promoter talking highly of the UFC....that's rare!

[CTRL]

Tweethe's only saying that because boxing is dying and he will be making the jump over at some piont, i bet

[FUZO]

TweetDON KING IS SCUM

[jipped genes]

Tweethe thinks he can make $$$ at it somehow.

[JsJs24]

TweetHe is surely looking for the opportunity to eventually profit from it but I don't blame him one bit. Unfortunately, the UFC probably won't have anything to do with him. Personally I would like to see UFC take on the free agent approach that boxing has always had. I would love to see people like King be able to promote fighters. If that were to happen then we would finally see the big fights we've always wanted to see. For instance, Fedor could fight someone from the UFC, and others could do the same. That is the number one problem with UFC, it is like a union with fighters not allowed to fight other fighters from other organizations. I would like to see MMA become a world wide fighting organization open to all fighters with no organizations separating them. That is the only way to truly see who is the best out there in every weight class. The way they have it set up now they simply bad mouth anyone from an inferior organization, such as Fedor, and claim nobody outside would have a chance with UFC fighters. Who knows, maybe one day but I doubt it. One thing is for sure though, there would be more money for the fighters and more for the sport if promoters like King were allowed to promote fights. Whether people like King or hate him, he has always managed to bring the best fights in boxing and make the fighters very wealthy. Of course, many of them were too dumb to manage their money and went broke, but that is not King's fault. I believe he is a far better promoter than Dana White. White has his favorites and seems to plan fights similar to WWE type wrestling, where they make sure the champions are who they want.