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Many people think fight fans who were disillusioned with the lame bouts, plethora of 'world' champions, and corrupt internal politics associated with boxing, have noticed something else going on - a new sport which produces fierce, watchable, hand-to-hand combat.

'They' are talking, as they always do, and they're saying that MMA has seduced those fans, and in so doing, raised the last nail for the coffin of boxing, ready to give the final hammering.

Maybe. But maybe not. In the sports section of regional and national newspapers, world class boxing still commands full-page features, whereas MMA generally doesn't feature at all. Televised news broadcasts retain a similar format.

Of course, MMA and boxing are not mutually exclusive, and a good number of fight fans are happy to watch either. Indeed, part of the reason for the surge in popularity of MMA could well be because boxing fans were already disillusioned even before the first Ultimate Fighting Championship back in November 1993.

There's something of a TNA 'Cross the line' thing going on, though, as big names associated with boxing are now becoming associated with MMA.

If MMA tanks are being driven onto boxing's lawn, then Affliction Entertainment are set to make the biggest advance yet.

Notably in partnership with boxing aficionados Donald Trump, and Oscar De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, Affliction may be capable of cracking open territory that has previously been closed to the world of MMA. Namely, the city of New York.

A big apple to bite into, indeed, and Affliction aren't the only MMA promoters to dream of sinking their teeth in. Back in February 2007 UFC President Dana White told NBCSports.com that it was his goal to run events in both Chicago and New York within 18 months. Many considered those goals realistic, but looking back, perhaps the time frame was overly optimistic.

MMA is currently banned by the New York Legislature, but fans have been petitioning, and the UFC recently submitted a report on the commercial benefits MMA would bring to the city.

The common perception of the real problem here is that the New York Athletic Commission has refused to back MMA because of the influence that boxing promoters hold over the Big Apple, and that big-money names have been behind the ban on MMA since the beginning.

But things are changing.

The New York State Athletic Commission has now become an ally for MMA. Their new chairperson, Melvina Lathan, told Newsday.com, "I would hope that New York would keep an open mind. There's room for two sports. I'm a boxing purist and I will always be, but I truly believe MMA is a sport all of its own. I think the more people are educated about it, the more they understand it and accept it."

Even the New York media are onboard. Last month, The New York Times ran an article about MMA and mainstream sponsorship, in the spirit of, 'damn, there's a lot of money in this game.' You can read the article here: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/business/media/21adco.html?_r=3&ref=business

Sanctioning of MMA in New York depends entirely on approval by the state legislature and the governor. In January 2009, a bill to sanction MMA failed to move beyond committee discussions.

Next time, Melvina Lathan's support could make all the difference.

And like a true fighting organization, Affliction has more moves to offer than we've so far seen. Their associate in MMA promotion, Donald Trump, is a powerful figure in his home town of New York City, with plenty of eyes, ears, and influence. It's worth noting that Lorenzo Fertitta - co-founder, and co-owner of Zuffa (which owns the UFC and WEC, and co-owned PRIDE FC), and also 380th wealthiest American (according to the Forbes 400), was instrumental in getting MMA regulated in Nevada.

NYC is Trump's turf.

Notably, Affliction's first two, much talked about, promotions 'Banned' and 'Day of Reckoning' saw a massive 50% rise in PPV sales between the two events.

Where's Affliction's third event? Where are the announcements and plans? It would be naive, either to credit the rumors about financial trouble for Affliction, or to surmise that plans have not been made. There will definitely be a third Affliction event in early 2009, and it's possible that the only reason we haven't heard about it yet is because Tom Atenico, Donald Trump, and Golden Boy Promotions are waiting for the go-ahead to stage their next major event at the American Mecca of sport, at a place which will sear MMA into the American soul, and explode it worldwide. They want to broadcast live from Madison Square Garden.

They may have to suck it up for a while longer, though. If Affliction don't get in for their third show, they will definitely be in the race for the Garden, right alongside the UFC, once MMA gets sanctioned in New York.

And there, too, Affliction have advantages.

Their partner, Golden Boy Promotions, have a good relationship with Garden management, having already staged a number of events there, including the PPV Shane Mosley Vs Miguel Cotto championship boxing match during which Cotto took on the undefeated WBA welterweight champion Mosley. 

If Affliction end up in a race against the UFC to get to the Garden first, they've got a final ace up their sleeve. Madison Square Garden is owned by Cablevision, which is substantially owned by the Dolan family, including Chief Executive James Dolan, who is known to be a good friend of Donald Trump.

It's not what you know....

Whether it's Affliction or UFC who get to The Garden first, once MMA starts being broadcast from there, public perception of the sport would rack up to a whole new level. In fairness, before the unified rules came along, and before WAMMA appeared as the only independent sanctioning organization, MMA probably wasn't ready. 

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