Boxing chief Sulaiman slams 'savage' MMA

The rise of "savage" mixed martial arts has sullied the name of boxing and sent the sport back to the caveman era, according to the head of the world's biggest boxing organisation.

Jose Sulaiman, who is entering his 33rd year in charge of the World Boxing Council (WBC), slammed the sport popularly known as 'cage fighting'.

"I oppose 100 per cent this ultimate fighting. It has taken boxing to the era of the caveman and the Roman circus," the Mexican said.

"These are not ancient times. This fighting is fed to those fans who like aggression, blood and illegality. They are not boxing fans. Boxing fans have class."

Mixed martial arts (MMA) combines combat disciplines such as jiu-jitsu, kickboxing, freestyle wrestling and traditional boxing, with the Ultimate Fighting Championship the sport's leading US association.

Fights usually take place over three or five, five-minute rounds, and can end by knockout, stoppage or submission. Contests adhere to a set of rules that include bans on headbutting, groin kicks or kicking a downed opponent.

Sulaiman, 77, said he had worked tirelessly to make boxing a sport of "honour, dignity and respect" and was now working overtime to distance it from MMA, which has earned huge sums in Pay Per View revenues.

"They are forcing us to prove we are safer and forcing us to work hard and show people there is a difference," he said.

"There should be more control over these fights, they should not be accepted. They are intended crimes accepted by bloody people who love this savage fighting."

Sulaiman is expected to win another term as WBC president next month at its annual congress in China, a country he believes is a sleeping boxing giant capable of offsetting the traditional dominance of the United States.

Despite its rapid advances in sport, China has so far shied away from the boxing ring but Sulaiman believes the four medals won by Chinese pugilists at the Beijing Olympics, two of which were gold, will spawn a generation of top lightweight fighters.

"I see great potential in China and I think the people will adopt boxing," said Sulaiman, who backed a lucrative fight card in Chengdu on Nov. 7, organised by flamboyant promoter Don King.

"The US is the greatest boxing country ever but it is time for balance and I believe China can provide that."