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The Independent
16-05-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
As Darren Till moves from MMA to boxing, here are five fighters that went the other way
When Darren Till enters the ring in Derby on Friday night, he will be the latest in a long line of fighters who have transitioned between MMA and boxing. The fight, which takes place at Vaillant Live in Derby under KSI's Misfits Boxing (and will be broadcast live on DAZN), will see Till take on fellow former UFC fighter Darren Stewart. With no grappling, kicks, or an Octagon, the pair are set to face each other under boxing rules. Till has had one professional boxing match so far, a technical knockout over Anthony Taylor in January. For Stewart, this will be his debut wearing boxing gloves. While the pair are far from the first to move into boxing as their MMA careers have gone on the wane, the transition has usually gone the other way. Perhaps the most-prominent boxer to have shifted into MMA has been 'Merciless' Ray Mercer, who won Olympic gold in 1988 at heavyweight, held the WBO title, and is perhaps best remembered for his split-decision loss against Lennox Lewis in 1996 and a hellacious, five-round war that saw him stop Tommy Morrison in 1991. Mercer made a gradual move into MMA, starting from boxing and sliding first into kickboxing. After a 2004 fight against Musashi in the Japanese promotion K-1, Mercer suffered an embarrassing loss the following year when he took a single, slight head kick from Remy Bonjasky in the first round that led to him turning away and submitting. Mercer had seemingly tested the waters with various MMA promotions, but made his debut proper in 2007, losing by submission in the first round to the debuting Kimbo Slice. There was one last, golden moment in MMA for Mercer, though, when he defeated former UFC heavyweight champion Tim Sylvia in nine seconds in 2009. Tellingly, it was through punches that Mercer finished the fight. James Toney Multiple-weight world champion James Toney held titles from middleweight to heavyweight, had a cruiserweight classic in 2003 against Vassiliy Jirov, and essentially ended the top-level career of Evander Holyfield. Toney was one of the modern era's great boxing masters who seemed to know every trick, roll, feint, and combination in the book. He was also cursed by a trend towards gluttony. It was a surprise, then, when Toney was contracted to fight Randy Couture at UFC 118 in Boston. Couture was a multiple champion and pioneer in MMA who, while approaching the end of his career, remained within the sport's top promotion. Toney, meanwhile, had no experience in either kicks or grappling. The bout, which the UFC sold hard, ended badly for Toney. Couture took him down quickly, put him on his back, and submitted him within four minutes. Art Jimmerson An honourable mention here. Now best known for participating in the first UFC event in Denver in 1993, Art Jimmerson was a top-rated cruiserweight when he decided to take part in the inaugural tournament with one bare hand and one wrapped in a boxing glove. Jimmerson was 28-5 when he went into the tournament, thinking that he would quickly knock out his opponents then go back to his real job. Like Toney, Jimmerson lost in one round – to jiu-jitsu icon Royce Gracie. After Jimmerson's boxing career, which eventually wound down to a 33-18 (17 KOs) record, was over, he went back to the UFC and worked as a boxing coach there. He passed away last May. Muhammad Ali It was not strictly MMA, but Muhammad Ali went to Japan in 1976 for a 'match' against famed Japanese wrestler Antonio Inoki. Upon realising what Inoki could – and planned to – do to him, Ali had the rules changed to negate Inoki's grappling and kicking skills. Inoki spent much of the 'fight' on his back, ineffectively kicking at the legs of Ali. The next day, Ali was hospitalised with blood clots in his legs. Regardless of the outcome, everyone lost. Tommy Morrison And, finally, a dishonourable mention – Tommy Morrison. The former WBO champion, whose career was derailed in 1996 by a failed HIV test and who passed away in 2013, tried his hand at a form of MMA in 2007. It was not entirely MMA as Morrison's team ensured the rules were changed so that no grappling or kicking was involved. Morrison did, however, wear MMA gloves to break up the face of local man John Stover in a bout from which thankfully little video footage has emerged.
Associated Press
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Passion, Power and Spirit: DCDC's 'Fantastic Forwards' Trailblazing World Premieres
Dayton Contemporary Dance Company Explores the Human Journey in Powerful New Program 'Fantastic Forwards' 'As we close our main-stage programming for the 24-25 season, I am extremely excited to present three world premieres that showcase the artistry, energy and passion of the DCDC artists.'— Debbie Blunden-Diggs, Chief Executive and Artistic Director DAYTON, OH, UNITED STATES, April 16, 2025 / / -- Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC), one of the nation's leading contemporary dance companies, will transform the Victoria Theatre stage this April with their groundbreaking new program, " Fantastic Forwards.' 'Fantastic Forwards' is brimming with the innovative spirit that has made DCDC a leader in contemporary dance for over five decades. 'Fantastic Forwards' features the pioneering work of three dance-makers, each addressing the timely themes of mental health, resilience, survival and community. Their works testify to the dazzling horizons that lie ahead as they harness the dynamic energy of Hip-Hop to explore how we navigate life's complexities. Artistic Vision With 'Fantastic Forwards,' DCDC reveals that Hip-Hop is a sophisticated world language capable of expressing our deepest human struggles, complex emotions and greatest triumphs. This production represents DCDC's continued commitment to pushing artistic boundaries while honoring its roots. Audiences will thrill at the full dynamism of contemporary dance as DCDC artists transform the Victoria Theatre into a vision of what dance can be. Audiences have consistently described DCDC performances as experiences that touch the soul, elicit tears and transform beyond words. More than showcases of electrifying athleticism, DCDC performances set the stage for meaningful conversations and create lifelong converts. 'Fantastic Forwards' continues this tradition, where energy is described as 'through the roof,' dancer movements become a 'masterclass' and you feel 'like a Sunday morning and a Saturday night all in one.' World Premieres and Choreographic Highlights Three acclaimed choreographers push the boundaries of movement, seamlessly fusing the rhythmic precision of Hip-Hop footwork with the fluid expressiveness of contemporary dance and the technical brilliance of classical ballet. Audiences will see the world premiere of Ray Mercer's electrifying 'Mental,' which brings the unseen battle of mental health to the stage. The powerful opening solo embodies the struggle of a Black man wrestling with his own emotions—his thoughts surrounded by voices that haunt, push and pull. Mercer's aptly named piece sheds light on the weight of mental health battles, especially in spaces where vulnerability is rarely given room to breathe. The godfather of Hip-Hop, Rennie Harris, offers up the soul-stirring 'Soon,' which pulses with the spirit of house, gospel and the undeniable groove of Philadelphia's GQ style. 'Soon' is a heartfelt exploration of community and the transformative power of spirit. Harris says, 'At its core, 'Soon' is a reflection of my own personal journey—a testament to my upbringing in a poverty-stricken neighborhood of North Philadelphia. Growing up in an environment where challenges were abundant, I found strength in the collective spirit of my community.' Completing this extraordinary trio is the world premiere of Joshua L. Ishmon's gripping 'Pressed,' which dives into the raw reality of mental health struggles, the weight of societal expectations and the pressure to be something—or to be seen as something. Through moments of roaring intensity, release and relentless fight, dancers embody the turmoil, resilience, breaking and rebuilding of the human spirit. Together, these works create a mesmerizing journey that speaks to the universal human experience of finding wholeness and joy in a fragmented world—a true testament to the dazzling artistic horizons that lie ahead for contemporary dance. Legacy and Impact Rooted in DCDC's 56-year legacy of artistic excellence and cultural significance, 'Fantastic Forwards' explores the full range of the human spirit through movement, sight, sound and soul. Coming fresh from their stunning collaboration with Dayton Opera, DCDC continues to demonstrate their versatility and artistic range in this trailblazing program that remains true to the company's founding mission of creating opportunities for dancers of color and celebrating the African American experience. 'As we close our main-stage programming for the 24-25 season, I am extremely excited to present three world premieres that showcase the artistry, energy and passion of the DCDC artists,' said Debbie Blunden-Diggs, chief executive and artistic director. Whether you're a seasoned dance lover or new to the infectious thrill of DCDC, 'Fantastic Forwards' promises to be an unparalleled event that will move, inspire and transform. WHEN: Saturday, April 26, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 27, at 4 p.m. WHERE: Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., Dayton, OH 45402 TICKETS: Available at or by calling 937-228-3630 INFORMATION: Visit SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook/Instagram @daytoncontemporarydancecompany HASHTAGS: #FantasticForwards #DCDCmoves #DaytonArts #ContemporaryDance About DCDC Founded in 1968 by visionary and MacArthur Fellow Jeraldyne Blunden, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company has grown from creating performance opportunities for African American dancers to becoming the 10th largest modern contemporary dance company in the nation. DCDC tours nationally and internationally to great acclaim. The company has been presented by the American Dance Festival, Jacob's Pillow, BAM Next Wave Festival, The Joyce Theatre, Kennedy Center, ADF Seoul, ADF Moscow and the Lyon (France) Biennale de la Danse. With the knowledge that dance is for everyone, DCDC is committed to arts-integrated education and community engagement. DCDC remains rooted in the African American experience and is dedicated to the presentation of exceptional art and artists on the global stage. Kevin Ward Dayton Contemporary Dance Company +1 937-228-3232 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
