The debate about whether mixed martial arts (MMA) or boxing is more effective has been an ongoing one ever since the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) petitioned for the sanctioning of MMA in 2001. All speculation aside, fans had the rare opportunity to watch a professional MMA fighter in a heavyweight match against a professional boxer last night when Robert Turner faced Lamar Davis (2-1) in the boxing ring:
Turner, who has a professional MMA record of 4-0, made his professional debut in the boxing ring at the Tampa Fight Night held at the Hyatt Regency after nine years of amateur boxing. Fighting in the boxing ring significantly differs from fighting in the octagon in numerous ways and Turner seemed to have a little trouble adjusting to the ropes when he slipped out of the ring early in the first of the four rounds scheduled.
This article appears in Sep 2-8, 2009.