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Boxing

Sugar Ray Leonard Likes Rampage Jackson

Posted Aug 31, 2007 1:54PM By Michael David Smith (RSS feed)

Filed Under: Boxing, Fighting

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Notes on an excursion to Bristol.

Many boxers disparage mixed martial arts. Sugar Ray Leonard is not one of them.

At the ESPN headquarters in Bristol on Friday to promote The Contender, Leonard said that as the sport of mixed martial arts has evolved, his appreciation for it has grown.

"When I first saw it, many years ago, before it was regulated, I squirmed," Leonard said. "But I like the fighters now."

Leonard mentioned Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, the Ultimate Fighting Championship light heavyweight champ, as a fighter he particularly respects. (He likes the chains Rampage wears, too.) He's also a fan of B.J. Penn.

And although the shows appear on competing networks, Leonard says he likes what UFC has done with The Ultimate Fighter, a show that is basically the same as The Contender, just with mixed martial arts instead of boxing. Leonard says he believes sports need stars, and reality shows are a good way to create them.

Tags: ESPN, MDS+in+Bristol, MdsInBristol

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

8-31-2007 @ 2:21PM

Fantasysportsmatrix said...

UFC has just been so smart with the way it has marketed itself here in the States. From the reality show, to standardization of the sport with rules for safety, the only thing really missing has been superstars. That's changing now with the likes of Rampage Jackson, who is a very likeable guy, if not hilarious (just watch his interviews). With the promotion and arrival of the top international talent (Fedor, Shogun Rua) combined with the popular domestic guys, e.g. Liddell, Couture, the sport is ready to reach heights not seen since the heydays of boxing.

www.fantasysportsmatrix.com

8-31-2007 @ 3:51PM

rampage said...

You can visit Rampage at his official homepage: http://www.allrampage.com

9-01-2007 @ 12:44AM

George B Vieto said...

Rampage Jackson is what Sugar Ray Leonard only dreams on being like when Sugar Ray was in boxing stealing a decision from Marvelous Marvin Hagler or Thomas Hearns.

9-03-2007 @ 12:05PM

Gary Z said...

UFC IS GREAT. I AM A BIG FAN. BUT DON'T KID YOURSELF. BOXING STILL RULES. WHEN ANOTHER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMP LIKE TYSON OR ALI COMES ALONG, BOXING WILL BE ON TOP AGAIN.