Ricardo Mayorga Talks About Future In MMA, Signing With Shine Fights
by notrightn0w on Sep 23, 2009 6:05 PM EDT
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Shine Fight Promotions recently confirmed the reported mixed martial arts signing of boxing legend Ricardo 'el Matador' Mayorga. Mayorga, a former WBA/WBC welterweight champion and former WBC junior middleweight champion, recently told MMA Spot’s Jesse Denis, "I'm anxious. I want to fight. I'm excited about fighting for Shine, I'm just waiting for Don King's letter of release."
'El Matador' is known for being one of Boxing's most polarizing figures, he was even dubbed "the craziest man in boxing" by Ring Magazine in 2003. Having amassed a record of 28 wins (22 via knockout), 7 losses, and 1 draw, Mayorga looks to begin a new career in MMA; using his world-class boxing as a springboard to success. He brings with him powerful hands, and experience against some of the best boxers in the world; Vernon Forrest, Felix Trinidad, Cory Spinks, Fernando Vargas, Shane Mosley, and Oscar De La Hoya, to name a few.
When asked as to what his motivation to switch sports was, Ricardo gave a very straight forward answer; "I always enjoyed fighting in the streets, but I became a professional so I had to stop… I was always seen a very violent, aggressive person in the ring, and now I'm going to take my aggression into the cage."
Shine Fights co-founder Devin Price believes Mayorga is making a good choice, "We feel that out of every boxer, Ricardo is the one who could really make the transition (into MMA)."
Shine Fights, coming off a successful showing at "Shine Fights 2: ATT vs The World," which took place in Miami, are proud of their latest acquisition, stating "….the first true boxing champion coming into the sport of MMA in his prime… We feel that signing Ricardo is a major step in that direction." Shine is looking to promote Mayorga's first match in late February or early March, once again in Miami. "we like the Miami market," Price declared, "We're looking to do the Mayorga fight in Miami as well."
Mayorga says that his goals for his MMA career are simple; "A title." Price expanded on this later, "When we first approached him, the first thing he said was, ‘I want to fight a champion, a top level fighter.’ We're going to make that happen."
(Video interview with Mayorga after the jump)
Ricardo Mayorga and Devin Price talk separately about the prospects of the boxing champion’s foray into mixed martial arts:
MMA Spot Exclusive With Ricardo ‘El Matador’ Mayorga from MMA SPOT on Vimeo.
MMA Spot Exclusive With Devin Price Of Shine Fight Promotions from MMA SPOT on Vimeo.
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This is big news. MMA finally gets to put to rest the Boxing vs MMA debate. While I’m pulling for Mayorga, I hope he doesn’t make it look easy.
My guess is Shine will give him one of the former UFC fighters they have under contract.
J. Andrew Yount
Lead Editor / Writer
www.mmaspot.net
Really? You think they’ll be that aggressive up front with him? I wouldn’t really know, I figured they might try to juice this for all it’s worth. Overall I think it’s cool that he wants to give it a try. He burned basically every bridge in boxing and is suing his promoter right now, so he’s gotta make money somewhere.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by Scott Christ on Sep 23, 2009 7:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Had he signed with one of the already established or Japanese organizations I could see them building his record with cans. Shine, while a great org., can only hope to keep Mayorga for a fight or two before he starts looking for bigger paydays and noteriety.
It would benefit Shine more to go right in and give him at least level talent, a guy that maybe washed out of the UFC or someone that had a name and is trying to make a comeback.
I hate to say it, but Yves Edwards or Charles Bennett (if not in jail) might be that guy
J. Andrew Yount
Lead Editor / Writer
www.mmaspot.net
Ooh, Mayorga-Yves. I’d tune in.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by Scott Christ on Sep 23, 2009 8:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I doubt much gets put to rest one way or the other
They’re different sports. A boxer not trained in MMA would get his ass kicked by most MMA fighters. A MMA fighter not trained in boxing would get his ass kicked by most boxers.
Could someone cross over from one to the other successfully eventually? I don’t see why not. It happens all the time between boxing and kickboxing. I just don’t think Mayorga is the guy to do it.
What might be interesting – have a bunch of good boxers and MMA fighters sign to do two shows. One show, they fight each other under boxing rules, the other they fight other MMA rules. Probably would be too expensive to actually get it done, but I’d buy it.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
And FWIW
I still want to see Kermit Cintron test the waters in MMA. If there’s someone who really CAN cross over, it’s probably him.
Bad Left Hook - The SB Nation boxing blog
"Baseball is played on the field, not on a calculator."
right
he’s the guy I really want to see make the transition. He’s got legit technical boxing skill, decent power and he was like a national champion wrestler in high school or something right?
And, I think his mentality would be better suited for MMA: shorter fights, faster endings. Cintron is not a guy whose going to battle through coming off the canvas, at least he hasn’t done that very well.
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
I think he called out the Sherk after Sherk called out Mayweather for a MMA fight…
Sherk/DanaWhite backed off from that offer… take that with a grain of salt….
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Hey, the Muscle Shark likes to think he can stand and trade. I’d like to see him try that shit with old Kermit.
"I swear to God, I'll take this ******* ball and shove it down your ******* throat" - Serena Williams
Cintron might lack alot of things but one thing he doesn’t lack is one punch knockout power with both hands.
That said… if it goes on the ground,even an allstate wrestler like Cintron will likely be tapping within 30 sec with an elite MMA fighter like Sherk.
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Sherk could have likely easily outwrestled Cintron, but Sherk, like lcollins said, thinks too often that he should stand and trade. Kermit would’ve knocked his head off in that scenario.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by Scott Christ on Sep 23, 2009 11:48 PM EDT up reply actions
I still can’t forget the Matthysse KO.
I had friends over and they just jumped out of their seats with his last combination…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TyWmOL0GO9g
Just the sound of the KO was scary…
"Boxing is dirty," said Casamayor. " The day I’m not ready to be a dirty fighter is the day I don’t fight anymore because it will mean that I have no heart for it anymore."
Always a good watch.
Bad Left Hook
"Well Howie, I think I'm going to stay outside and outjab him." -- Tex Cobb telling Howard Cosell how he would approach Larry Holmes
by Scott Christ on Sep 24, 2009 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions
Yeah if he can win a few fights it will be interesting to see what it does to the demos
by MMASpotClint on Sep 24, 2009 5:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m shocked this therad isn’t getting more support. Does no one realize what this can do for MMA if a fighter of Mayorga’s caliber can make a successful transition over to MMA.
Think about Lesnar’s impact and he wasn’t even a real fighter. Mayorga’s a star AND from a real combat sport background. You guys need to get on board and talk about this. This could be huge for MMA.
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