Boxing needs more stars, free events and fewer weight classes

Rather than brave the bars on Saturday, I decided to visit my old roommates and watch UFC 171. During the event, one of the new acquaintances I had just met said she loves the UFC, but “can’t stand boxing.”

I remember having similar conversations with my friend Adam Cronin, a black belt in karate and a fellow UFC fan. He sometimes badgers me about how I am wasting my time watching a sport where “all the guys do is punch each other” and “the belts look funny.”

Although it is not currently the most popular, boxing continues to be a staple in sports.

While MMA grips audiences with its unpredictab...