Tim Sylvia Eyes Boxing's "Ridiculous" Pay

by Cannon Jacques on Jun 1, 2009 12:14 PM EDT in News Comment 80 comments

Tim Sylvia recently talked to Fighters Only about his boxing aspirations. To wit:

"Its something I've always wanted to pursue and if it works out like I'd like for it too, I can switch over. I don't want to be done with MMA, but the money is a lot better in boxing. Plus its a lot easier on your body and its a lot easier to train for a boxing match than it is an MMA match."

Asked if a run at a title belt in the boxing world is on his mind, Sylvia is unequivocal. "Yeah absolutely, I would love to fight some of the heavyweight champs, you know? I mean the paydays are ridiculous!" he says, adding with a laugh "$10 million paydays, that is just stupid money."

Yahoo's Steve Cofield puts Sylvia's enthusiasm in perspective:

The money is better? At the highest level, of course. With the downturn in the economy, boxers in the top 20-to-50 range are making 400-800k at best. Chad Dawson and Antonio Tarver just made a combined $1.8 million. So the money's not that big in boxing unless Sylvia thinks he's fighting a Klitschko brother. Which won't and shouldn't happen.

...

We have no idea if Sylvia can be a high level boxer. The guess is no chance. His hand speed is below average and his footwork is shaky and slow. Don't even worry about him against a top 10 fighter. Could Sylvia even be competitve with fellow giant Tye Fields, who is 6-foot-8, 270 pounds? I doubt it. Boxing is different animal. It was the same as saying Fields could win an MMA fight against Sylvia.

It's one thing to take on Ray Mercer, a near 50-year-old boxer whose best days passed him by many years ago. It's quite another to talk about challenging some of the better pro boxers, currently fighting in the prime of their careers. I'm not convinced Sylvia can get by Mercer, anyway.

While a loss to Mercer, or some other boxer, probably isn't a significant blow to the MMA juggernaut, a win for Sylvia against an irrelevant boxer has no real upside for Sylvia, himself, and there's certainly no overwhelming benefit to be derived for the sport of MMA. Tim Sylvia, like him or not, is one of highest ranked heavyweight mixed martial artists in the world (#8 according to the USAT/SBN Consensus Rankings). However, this assertion by Sylvia that he can make waves at the top of the professional boxing ranks, and thus score the serious cash, seems premature at best. Actually, the more cynical among us might label it sheer craziness.

Update by Brent Brookhouse: I just wanted to point out that I'm not really sure where Cofield's numbers are coming from. One of the hottest American prospects on the heavyweight boxing scene in years is Chris Arreola. Arreola is currently ranked #7 in the world by Ring Magazine. If there is anyone who would be pulling the higher end cash that Cofield claims these #20-50 guys make it would be Arreola. Hell, it should be even higher considering that he is such a hot prospect and well above the top 20 level. However, in his last fight Chris' purse was $400,000. The insane payscale of boxing is a myth beyond the absolute top guys in the sport. Tim Sylvia is not cracking the top 20 of boxing anytime soon, I'd say the safer money for him is in MMA where he is already considered top 10 and can get his regular purse in addition to sponsorship bonuses.

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that is bull..

the money is a lot better in boxing.

only if you are a de lahoya, mayweather, or pacquiao.. otherwise you wont match your 800k in just 36secs..

Plus its a lot easier on your body

but not on your brain.. which obviously is pretty damaged already if you think you can earn as big as the top guys..

and again, how can you get damaged if your last two losses came from a 36 sec KO and a guillotine choke?
sure as hell is more safe than taking a 12 round beating..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on May 31, 2009 11:23 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Ha....................................................................

All you Tim Sylvia haters crack me up. Let me start by saying that i am a very close friend with Tim, so I know him better than any of you who have just read 20 word quotes taken out of context his whole career. First, Tim loves to fight, regardless of the $, but obviously he wants to get the biggest pay days he can. Does that make him an asshole? I know i love money and would take the most i could get for what i do. He is boxing Ray as a personal challenge/payday. I know all of you would love to see he go up against the top heavy weight and get destroyed. Second, he is still in the top ten in the MMA rankings because he deserves to be. Look at his last 3 fights…all top fighters…which is more than i can say for your hero Fedor. Obviously there is fighters who are above his skill set, but don’t think for a minute that he doesn’t have a few more MMA highlight KOs to deliver in his coming fights. Tim is training very hard for this boxing match and taking it very seriously. This hard work will carry on to his match with Buentello too. If you guys don’t like Tim then that’s cool, by reading 20 word quotes from some of you guys, i dont like you much either. God bless…

by ANance on Jun 1, 2009 7:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I respect your position as a friend of Sylvia’s. Personally,I think if he wants to box, that’s great. The question for me is whether he really believes he can make the big money in boxing that he’s referencing. I’ve heard similar comments attributed to him as the one above. Maybe, Sylvia can do some things as a boxer, but he’s largely unproven thus far. I just see his statements about boxing as plaguing him at this point. Maybe, they’re out of context, but unless you know the guy personally, there’s not much else to go on outside of public statements.

by Cannon Jacques on Jun 1, 2009 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

So...

Fedor fighting Arlovski, Barnett and Sylvia is unimpressive…very interesting.

but he still won’t make shit for money in boxing compared to what he could make in MMA. He isn’t a great boxer and it’s too late in the game to think he can adapt. He’ll probably beat Mercer who has been beaten by scrubs very recently (even if Tim claims Mercer is top 20 in the world…one of those quotes I suppose we should ignore). But beating Mercer who speaks differently than he did a few years back means very little…you outboxed a 50 year old punch drunk guy. Hooray!

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 1, 2009 11:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll believe it when I see it. KO’s from Sylvia against subpar competition doesn’t count.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on Jun 1, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

All you Tim Sylvia haters crack me up. Let me start by saying that i am a very close friend with Tim, so I know him better than any of you who have just read 20 word quotes taken out of context his whole career

So, you’re completely biased and make extravagent claims that have no real bearing on the conversation because you’re just going to say Tim is great no matter what we say.

You make some points regarding Tim’s love for fighting and getting paid the most. Most guys want to be paid the most, no fault there.

The most ridiculous comment is this:

Look at his last 3 fights…all top fighters…which is more than i can say for your hero Fedor.

Ugh… Fedor took on Sylvia, who you are saying is a top fighter, and then he took on Arlovski, and now he’ll take on Barnett. Sylvia was beaten by Nogueira, who Fedor trounced twice, Fedor, and Brandon Vera in the most boring hugfest ever even after Vera broke his damn hand. Give me a break, buddy. Take your blatant bias somewhere else. Sherdog might listen.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on Jun 1, 2009 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Tim hasn’t had a KO victory since early 2006, which is part of the problem. Perhaps if he got back to knocking people out he’d still have fans and could get some big paydays but after three years of decisions and submission losses it’s no wonder his fanbase has disappeared.

by who me on Jun 1, 2009 4:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab… jab…

Keep firing Assholes!

This is a dream competition for me. I drink as much coffee as I want, and eventually I hallucinate.

by Ubernoober on May 31, 2009 11:24 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

rec

by banter on Jun 1, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good on Big Timmeh. If he wants to box, all the best to him. He was to take on Mercer which is a good place to start. If he does well, keep challenging himself, if not, he can come back and fight MMA where his size can present challenges to many opponents.

I dont for a second think he is/was gonna be anywhere near the top of the boxing food chain making $10Mil per fight (and I dont think Tim does either), but can’t fault the guy for wanting to test the waters and dreaming of the big pay days of boxings elite.

by GeeDub on May 31, 2009 11:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

You may be right about Sylvia’s expectations, but some of the stuff he says seems a bit out of touch with reality. For the record, I’m fine with him doing whatever he wants. It’s his life.

by Cannon Jacques on May 31, 2009 11:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh no what ever will we do without Tim Sylvia in MMA? What a loss, the sport might never recover……

by who me on May 31, 2009 11:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh Tim, you always provide me with a good laugh.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on May 31, 2009 11:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

How is he still Top-10 ranked in MMA? I would bet on most HW over him. Kongo, Carwin, Brock, Mir, Overeem. I’m totally looking forward to his fight against Buentello. War Headhunter!

I think his comment about fighting for the belt was largely in jest, talking about paydays instead of proving himself.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on May 31, 2009 11:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The anti-UFC fans can’t find it in themselves to rank more then 5 UFC fighters in a HW Top 10, hence why Sylvia is still ranked.

by AlwaysRelaxing on May 31, 2009 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because rankings aren’t about how you’ll do in future fights, they’re about what you’ve accomplished. Timmy has good wins, which gets you ranked. That said, his best (and only) win in the last two years is over Vera (undefeated at the time, but also probably unranked), so I don’t think I’d have him in the top 10 at this point.

by FRANKIE on Jun 1, 2009 12:43 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The heavyweight rankings are gonna go through a major transition this year.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Jun 1, 2009 12:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They ought to. Lightweight as well.

by FRANKIE on Jun 1, 2009 12:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Both a long time coming – this time next year we’ll all be bitching about how Mousasi is still ranked as a middleweight. It’s the circle of life.

by subo on Jun 1, 2009 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really don’t think they’re that overdue. The quickest way to climb the rankings is to beat ranked fighters, and for a long time the UFC just didn’t have a lot of ranked HWs or LWs. Now they’ve got guys ranked in both classes, which makes it easier to get more guys ranked in those classes.

I still don’t understand why BJ is ranked #1 though.

by FRANKIE on Jun 1, 2009 1:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Because he’s the best fighter at 155 you or I has ever seen.

by subo on Jun 1, 2009 4:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What’s your point? What are his wins at LW in the last five years? There are only three, and none of them are that impressive, unless you also wildly over-rank Sherk (which I know you do).

by FRANKIE on Jun 1, 2009 11:15 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Is this Frankie Edgar? lol jk

Who would you rank at #1 if not BJ?

by kyfm621 on Jun 1, 2009 11:38 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly, I’m not sure right now. LW is a total mess, partly due to the promotional divide, and largely due to the Dream tournament clusterfuck. If Aoki had beaten Hansen he’d be the clear #1, but he didn’t, so it’s hard to put him there at the moment since he has a recent loss within the division. Still, he has a lot more recent quality wins at LW than BJ does.

by FRANKIE on Jun 1, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i hate penn

but he’s not one dimensional like aoki. it wouldn’t even be close.

by fuzzy wuzzy on Jun 1, 2009 10:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did I ever argue that it would be close?

by FRANKIE on Jun 2, 2009 2:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what you said was “If Aoki had beaten Hansen he’d be the clear #1” over Penn. What i’m saying is Penn’s BJJ will cancel out Aoki’s leaving Penn to dominate in every other aspect of the game. So no, I am not on the Aoki bandwagon Hansen loss or no Hansen loss.

by fuzzy wuzzy on Jun 2, 2009 10:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rankings

really are supposed to be where you would fall if the fights were to happen. Not your over all record. If a guy gets a glass jaw or is so old he cant move anymore they should drop in the rankings. Every year in college football you see teams drop after a win because someone looks better in their win and in a theoretical head to head, would win. May also be why Rampage is not fighting Lyoto next – the people in the know dont think hes as good

by ryanwk628 on Jun 1, 2009 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

really are supposed to be where you would fall if the fights were to happen.

Which is impossible to find out until people actually fight.

If a guy gets a glass jaw or is so old he cant move anymore they should drop in the rankings.

If this person is still winning why should they? Maybe their good enough to overcome their deficiencies.

Every year in college football you see teams drop after a win because someone looks better in their win and in a theoretical head to head, would win.

Hence why the BCS is a POS.

by Tonley on Jun 1, 2009 2:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

See texas and OU last year.

Informed rankings look past W-L and into match ups, how guys are doing at that moment and were a theoretical match up to happen, who would be the odds on favorite. With how bad Sylvia has looked, there are a lot of guys who would beat him and thus should be ranked higher. Same can be said for Nog and sad to say, Randy.

Mir beat Brock, but who is going to be the favorite in that fight? (well who would vegas have) Thats the guy who should be ranked higher.

by ryanwk628 on Jun 2, 2009 8:13 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was $800,000 for getting fucked up for 36 seconds not enough?

by subo on Jun 1, 2009 12:04 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Tim Sylvia comes off as a total douchebag

Boxers do not get paid that much more. Boxers, like MMA fighters make the majority of their money on PPV. Do they get a bigger split of PPV? Sure. But they don’t have the same long-term marketing machine that the UFC has.

De La Hoya is able to command ridiculous sums (50 million for Mayweather fight) because of his control of the promotional company.

At the end of the day the thing Sylvia fails to recognize is that people get paid when they are popular. When you’re a fan favourite and a household name then you’re going to draw PPV buys. And you’re going to be able to command a high percentage of the revenue that comes in from those buys. There are two ways to become popular.
1. Be an awesome fighter.
2. Be charasmatic and have a great story.

1. only gets you so far, and you really need to 2. to become a true draw. Look at guys like Liddell and Couture. Those guys are getting paid as much as Tarver and Dawson if not more. Sylvia really comes across as a money-hungry retard who’s completely out of touch. He’s dreaming if he thinks he’ll ever make that sort of money.

by rainmaker6 on Jun 1, 2009 12:17 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well some boxers can make significant money overseas like ( Abraham, Sturm, Wald,Vitali, heck even Valuev) because their um versions of ABC, NBC, aka ARD and ZDF pay significant fees to air boxing on primetime TV.

But yeah… I agree with most of your points. He is really stupid to think that all of a sudden he can command the big bucks.

"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."

by Zocalo on Jun 2, 2009 3:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

There are a lot more belts in boxing, so this makes a bit of sense.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on Jun 1, 2009 1:34 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Well that and the fact that Tim hasn’t been able to get a MMA fight in the last year. Aside from Affliction the MMA well has run dry for Sylvia and who knows what will happen in the future with Affliction.

by who me on Jun 1, 2009 1:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Its true, I am surprised that he hasn’t been hunting a strikeforce or dream belt so he can have sex in it.

I dislike Matt Hughes.

by MonkeyCHops on Jun 1, 2009 1:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This will happen in Affliction’s future.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Jun 1, 2009 2:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What happens to Affliction after that, and who is going to pay Tim what he thinks he should be making then(or even a fraction of that amount)? I don’t see anyone else in the future knocking on Tim Sylvia’s door with a suitcase full of cash for a fight, heck I can’t see Affliction paying him even a quarter of what they paid him last time for that matter. The humor here is that for some reason he thinks professional boxing is going to be knocking on that door with a suitcase of money.

Guys like Fedor and Barnett and Arlovski will be able to find fights with people willing to pay their price and give them fights but Tim Sylvia’s mma well is rapidly going dry, that’s why he is fighting Ray Mercer in unsanctioned “cage boxing” to start with.

by who me on Jun 1, 2009 3:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If he wins, he might still have a decent career. If Buentello wins, Sylvia’s time as a big name is over. He’ll be lucky to get more cageboxing matches, even. I just wonder what happened to precipitate such a fast fall – HW champ to joke.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Jun 1, 2009 3:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he went from HW champ.. to “toughest opponent” of fedor in years..but then he started challenging ken shamrock.. that didn’t happen so he challenged an even older guy in a cageboxing match..

that’s why..

weoweoweo .deviantart .com

by Anton Tabuena on Jun 1, 2009 3:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

HW Champ – to boring champ – to boring contender – to scrub. It’s been much more severe than you’re saying.

Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better. -Samuel Beckett

by themachiavellian on Jun 1, 2009 4:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You could almost see his whole career crumbling in the 30 seconds it took Fedor to finish him off.

…But we all have to thank him for getting rid of Tim Sylvia. He’d been stinking out the joint the last couple of years and Fedor did everyone a favor by beating him so easily and getting rid of him

- Dana White

by who me on Jun 1, 2009 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

is that

Dana’s actual words, if they are, my god, what more does anyone want. If Dana doesn’t want him in MMA, thats good enough for me.

by proflex on Jun 1, 2009 7:12 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That was Dana’s statement after the Fedor/Sylvia fight. The main inference I got from that was that apparently the UFC bridge is burned for Tim Sylvia.

by who me on Jun 1, 2009 7:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh crap

you got my hopes up there a little. I thought it was referencing Tim as a whole, not just the UFC, but thanks for the clarification.

by proflex on Jun 1, 2009 10:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok I know how this will sound

but I just searched out the fight and watched it. OH MY GOD, I almost fell off my chair laughing, Fedor didn’t even secure the choke and he made Timmy tap. That was awesome.

by proflex on Jun 1, 2009 10:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The 36 seconds that killed Tim Sylvia’s career. What’s really sad is that it was so short Affliction made a commercial for their second show out of the entire fight.

by who me on Jun 1, 2009 10:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's fitting

cut out the first six seconds and it’s a perfect commercial.

by proflex on Jun 1, 2009 10:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If Dana doesn’t want him in MMA, thats good enough for me.

Are you serious?

by FRANKIE on Jun 2, 2009 2:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

I am, I’ve never liked Tim, always thought his fights are boring and the man doesn’t deserve the respect he so wants. Face it, the man has done next to nothing in the last couple of years, let alone put on an exciting fight. If the man wants to stick around, he’s going to have to do something substantial to garner any ones attention.

by proflex on Jun 2, 2009 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That’s not really what I was commenting on. It was your willingness to support whatever White wants, even beyond the guy’s own company that stunned me.

by FRANKIE on Jun 2, 2009 8:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I’ll be the first to admit that Dana has done some stupid things, but whether you like him or not, you have to admit the man has done more for MMA then anyone other than the Gracies, and the people who originally started the UFC. I don’t support Dana on every issue that he’s dealt with or decision that he has made. This is one that just makes good sense. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again here, unless Tim does something significant then beating up sub par opponents, then the man does not deserve the money he thinks he’s worth. Ego’s will only get you so far, unless you’re proving yourself, you’re not going to get the money or respect you deserve.

by proflex on Jun 2, 2009 9:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why's dana so pissed?

by fuzzy wuzzy on Jun 1, 2009 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wondered that myself, it seems like there may be an issue between the UFC and Tim Sylvia that we don’t know about.

by who me on Jun 1, 2009 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sylvia said he left the UFC because he wanted to fight 6-8 times a year….

how’s that working out?

by Reaser16 on Jun 1, 2009 2:47 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

400k-800k for top 20-50????

I mean that is A LOT more than MMA pays their top 20-50 fighters. There aren’t many top 10 MMA fighters getting paid that much. Tim doesn’t need to get very far to be making way more than he would in the UFC

by Flyghtt on Jun 1, 2009 6:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't buy that...

the top 20-50 guys in the SPORT maybe…but not just the top 20-50 guys in any weight class. Trust me…the #45 heavyweight in the world ain’t bringing home half a mil per fight. And there are A LOT of boxers in the world. Getting into the top 50 is, in fact, “very far”

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 1, 2009 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t buy it either, and it’s in line with some of the outrageous claims Cofield has made in the past.

The big question here is regarding the actual HW boxing picture. It is by far one of the more depleted talent pools in boxing IMO. There are a lot of boxing analysts who think it’s terrible in terms of depth, and bringing Arlovski and Sylvia in doesn’t help it that much, but it also doesn’t completely crush their hopes of breaking top 20. I think AA could potentially do it, but Sylvia, I doubt it.

Follow my analysis of all things MMA on BloodyElbow.com

by Leland Roling on Jun 1, 2009 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The heavyweight division is depressing…

"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."

by Zocalo on Jun 2, 2009 3:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for chiming in Brent.

The numbers seemed a bit high to me, but Cofield’s point stands in spite of suspect data. You’re sort of the resident boxing expert, so I’m glad you showed up.

by Cannon Jacques on Jun 1, 2009 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well to put this in perspective…

Valuev gave up a $1,547,928 purse; Chagaev lost out on $1,266,486 when they didn’t fight and that is not including the gate, and whatever um ARD or ZDF paid to air the fight on German TV.

"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."

by Zocalo on Jun 2, 2009 3:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

DId he beat Ray Mercer? Has that happened yet?

by xDieseLx on Jun 1, 2009 11:05 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Brent, great update, but whats his pay scale being former UFC champ? Considering he he is not some chump that is stumbling in off the street, he has a name to be pushed and is likely an easy, although likely ugly win for a heavyweight. Could pull pretty well and he could make an easy payday using his former UFC status. Any thoughts?

by szucconi on Jun 1, 2009 12:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's possible...

but he’s never been well liked. I mean, being a popular fighter would be one thing. But all he carries is that he was a UFC champ and people don’t care for him. Like not like they dislike him enough to want to see him get his face beaten in. They just plain don’t give a shit what Sylvia is up to. It’s pretty clear from all the internet talk that he’d be bringing maybe like 3 MMA fans to buy a boxing event he was a part of….I don’t know how much weight it carries. If it were some transcendent star that everyone loves like a GSP or something…sure. But I just don’t see it with Tim.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 1, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

But would it bring in the boxing fans to see the MMA guy get pounded. I know my dad (huge boxing guy that won’t touch MMA) would love to see it. It buzz for a young HW boxer that may be a rising star (if one of those exists)

by szucconi on Jun 1, 2009 12:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think...

it would get SOME interest. But it wouldn’t be incredibly big business unless Tim proved to be better than I really think he is.

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 1, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agreed

I think Tim has let MMA success cloud his judgment. So what if he beats an over the hill boxer at the end of his career, he still won’t get the paycheque(not incorrect spelling, for some reason this is how we spell it in Canada) he thinks nor the respect he wants. It will be a long road before Tim gets big bucks out of boxing.

by proflex on Jun 1, 2009 2:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hate me if you want

but Tim Sylvia is a joke. most of his wins and fame came at a time when the UFC’s heavyweight division was a joke. the only guy that Tim beat that has any real talent, was Arlovski. Tim can’t hang with the big names anymore and he thinks that boxing is going to be his pay day. If, and it’s a big if, he beats Mercer(who’s career is pretty much over anyway) Tim will have proved nothing. Face it, Tim is washed up. His last few outings in the UFC were some of the worst fights I’ve ever watched. Tim wonders why he doesn’t get respect, simply put, he doesn’t deserve it.

by proflex on Jun 1, 2009 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He only beat big nogs ass for a few rounds. He murdered Monson and there were talks of Monson stepping up to fight Fedor if Barnett did not.

by szucconi on Jun 1, 2009 1:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Monson

couldn’t hit Sylvia because he’s got short arms. I wasn’t impresses with Tim in that fight either. He should have stopped Monson, but didn’t. Big Nogs did what he’s known for, taking punishment and then stopping a fight with an awesome sub.

by proflex on Jun 1, 2009 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You have to give Tim respect for the Nog fight. He had won three rounds – he could’ve put them in his pocket and safely pointed his way to a decision, but he went for the kill over and over again.

by subo on Jun 2, 2009 1:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You also have to give Tim respect for being a remarkably successful fighter. I understand not liking him, but the disrespect I see is rather ridiculous.

by FRANKIE on Jun 2, 2009 3:00 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

right, I’ll agree with subo, he had the first three, but didn’t finish. AS for remarkably successful, I think that is a subjective statement. Look at the history the man has had. Most of his wins and belts came at a time when the hw division was thin at best. The only thing he had going for him at the time was his size. Most people couldn’t deal with 6’8". Size is hardly a talent. I’d put good money that given the chance, Tim couldn’t repeat the same things he’s done in the division now. Like I said hate me if you want, but Tim ain’t hanging with the big boys no more. He’s proved it time and again. As for respecting Tim, I respect the fact the man can do something that I can’t, other than that, he has done nothing for me to even take a second look at him. I’m glad he’s not in the UFC anymore. We have enough boring fights and fighters there as it is.

by proflex on Jun 2, 2009 11:08 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

also

before you come to Tim’s defence with his record, take a look at his record. with the exception of the last couple of years, it’s pretty much a laundry list of no namers, hardly impressive.

by proflex on Jun 2, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Honestly if Tim Sylvia boxed Tye Fields, I’d pick Sylvia.

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by SC on Jun 1, 2009 11:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Everyone should read that as:

Tye Fields is exceptionally bad….

not as “Tim Sylvia is a great boxer”

Contributing Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.

http://CurseOfRonKarkovice.blogspot.com/

by Brent Brookhouse on Jun 1, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yes

Bad Left Hook
Camden Chat

by SC on Jun 1, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wish I had a Tye Fields gif….

"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."

by Zocalo on Jun 2, 2009 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

BEEFCAKE

But I suspect you mean more like this…

Vogt early, Vogt often.

by Brickhaus on Jun 2, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

That is it… I want to see Sliva and Andre box each other. Put them in a Affliction PPV as a sub main event.

"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."

by Zocalo on Jun 2, 2009 3:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs