UFC champion Tom Aspinall name-checks Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren during passionate speech about boxing
30/11/2023 13:04
Interim UFC heavyweight champion Tom Aspinall is a big boxing fan – but he hates the way the sport is going.
On Wednesday, the MMA superstar paid a visit to talkSPORT's headquarters to discuss his recent title win, batter our punch machine and talk up a potential fight with UFC legend Jon Jones.
However, the man who used to spar with WBC heavyweight champion Tyson Fury soon got onto the subject of boxing and his mixed feelings about the sport.
"I am a massive boxing fan," Aspinall told talkSPORT Drive.
"I absolutely love the sport of boxing, [but] I absolutely can't stand the boxing model.
"Hate it. I hate the way boxing is going at the moment because I love the sport of boxing.
“I love the science. I love the defensive techniques, which is amazing. I absolutely love watching actual classic, traditional boxers who are defensively brilliant – it's my favourite thing."
Aspinall name-checked two of Britain's leading boxing promoters as he explained exactly what has made him 'hate' a sport he actually loves.
He added: "The way the sport is going at the moment is absolutely terrible.
"You can look at an Eddie Hearn show, a Frank Warren show or any other promoter’s show and know.
“Just say there are ten fights on, you can know at least eight of the winners before the bell rings on any of the fights – I can't stand it.”
As well as disliking mismatched cards, the UFC superstar is also frustrated by the fact elite boxers often talk about fighting each other, but rarely step into the ring together.
Aspinall concluded: "We are talking about the best guys in the world and none of them are fighting each other. What is this?"
Boxing is not a sport Aspinall needs to concern himself for a few years yet.
The 30-year-old is dead set on unifying the UFC heavyweight division by fighting Jones before running through every contender eyeing up his crown.
Aspinall then hopes to return to boxing where he has a 1-0 professional record after knocking out Hungarian journeyman Tamas Bajzath in Manchester six years ago.
