Everyone answers to somebody, so we, the staff at Sherdog.com, have decided to defer to our readers. “The Doggy Bag” gives you the opportunity to speak about what’s on your mind from time to time.

Our reporters, columnists, radio hosts, and editors will chime in with our answers and thoughts, so keep the emails coming.

This week, readers weigh-in on a wide range of topics, including MMA’s pending date with boxing, the staleness “Ultimate Fighter” and UFC 90’s Thiago Alves-Diego Sanchez duel.

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MMA, boxing matters

In regards Jason Probst’s MMA Fighters & Boxing Counterparts series, what the hell are you thinking? That article has absolutely no credibility, no grounds to stand on, just opinions from yourself, and it doesn't help boxing or MMA in any way, shape or form. Comparing athletes from different sports is like saying: “I wonder if Michael Jordan can run a touchdown from the 5 yard line against a pro team,” or “I bet Brian Urlacher could hit a 450-foot homerun.” The point is; it doesn’t matter. Your Hypothetical “analysis” is at best boring, irrational and illogical.

Now if you did an article comparing MMA to boxing, stating that boxers should now be using UFC style gloves, but remain standing like traditional boxing, you’re making grounds for a legit debate.

Sounds like you just talking to hear yourself talk. Be more creative buddy …
-- Don

Jason Probst, columnist: Wow, Don. With an email like that, you must have cajones so big you have to turn to the side to go through the doorway. First off, the article established clearly that is was a piece on historical and situational parallel, not a literal stylistic comparison. It’s not my job to “help boxing or MMA in any way,” as you put it, but to come up with assignments people will want to read because they contribute new ideas and/or reporting.

The hard truth is that there are plenty of historical things in boxing that were source material to draw on compared to MMA’s rich-if-brief history. Don’t get mad at me just because you had to go to BoxRec.com to look up the guys I mentioned to see if I was making it up. There absolutely is a parallel between some old-time boxers, what they represented, and MMA guys. There are only so many roles in the play, so to speak.

OK. How about I “be more creative” by pointing out the much-hackneyed problem of poorly written reader emails -- typically rife with flawed reasoning, to say nothing of massive grammatical gaffes -- that amuse me to no end? Perhaps I’ll do a series on it. In fact, this whole “being creative” thing is kind of fun and I’ll get going on in right away. I’ll need some source material, so please keep writing or forward your IM handle immediately.

Also, if boxing used MMA gloves, it wouldn’t be boxing, would it? Don’t hate on me just because you couldn’t pick out Harry Greb in a Rockettes lineup.

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We don't want your sport on cards with ours (boxing). Yeah, MMA might have more fans right now, but the real boxing fans don't give a f--k. We always get screwed over. The two sports on the same card is as stupid as that picture you have for yourself on the contact page.
-- Thompson

Loretta Hunt, news editor: I can’t speak for the photo -- I still haven’t gotten mine up onto the Team Sherdog page -– but, I would like to address your thoughts on the pending intermingling of boxing and MMA. I have to say that I agree with your concerns. The thought of boxing and MMA together on one card, in one ring, on one night has me skeptical for a few reasons.

Though I have a great respect for the sweet science and its athletes, my viewing preference is MMA. I understand both sports have their own unique nuances and history (sometimes I’m a little jealous boxing has such a rich one to pull from), but my eye is trained to respond to MMA.

On that note, I would never expect a devoted boxing fan to automatically take to MMA just because it’s on the same card. I can imagine the boxing fan might even feel a bit violated.

In fact, if the reaction MMA has gotten from the boxing press so far is any indication, I don’t think the melding of the two disciplines will be a smooth ride -– at least to start. I’ve sat with boxing writers “forced” to sit through an MMA event for their local newspapers. When we don’t know what we are watching, it’s easier to compare it to what we do know. I would not attempt to cover a boxing event because I simply don’t have the knowledge and experience, and I respect the sport too much to insult it.

It seems to me that MMA’s audience is more akin to the pro wrestling set than boxing’s own distinct fan base. The UFC proved that when Brock Lesnar and company drew over 600,000 pay-per-view buys from UFC 81. Maybe boxing fans will respond to MMA when a boxer crosses over because they’ll have someone to relate to.

The rumor is Affliction and Golden Boy could host their first crossover event in the first quarter of 2009. The headliner could pit Miguel Cotto vs. Antonio Margarito in their awaited rematch, with a strong MMA roster underneath it to bolster the night. Maybe the split will be different once the lights go up. I will certainly be there to report on the MMA portion, and I will certainly stay to watch the main event. I hope the fans enjoy it as much as I will.