Connect with us

Articles of 2008

MMAer Noons Goes Back To Boxing

Published

on

It’s been a tumultuous few months for former Elite XC Lightweight champion K.J. Noons. Having been stripped of his title by the powers that be at Elite XC for refusing to defend the belt against Nick Diaz, Noons has taken a beating from the Mixed Martial arts media as well.

One of the more popular websites, Sherdog.com, went so far as to question Noon’s courage stating that Noons was doing a great imitation of a coward for not agreeing to face Diaz. Noons had previously stopped Diaz via cuts in the first round of their first meeting to win the title. He defended once against Yves Edwards with an impressive stoppage and then was ordered by Elite XC to defend against Diaz.  Noons refused.

Noons cited a disparity in purses as the reason he wouldn’t fight Diaz. He calls the notion of him being scared as just plain ridiculous. “Both Nick and myself are professional fighters. Fighters at our level don’t fear anyone,” Noons said. “This was about me making one third the money that Diaz was making even though I was the defending champion.”

Noon’s refusal to defend led to a very public dispute with his promoters at Elite XC. The company eventually stripped Noons of his belt which will now be up for grabs as Diaz and Eddie Alvarez clash for the vacant title.

At this point, the twenty five year old’s future as a mixed martial artist is uncertain. “I’m a free agent right now for both boxing and MMA,” Noons said. “Right now I’m going to focus more on my boxing. I have a fight scheduled in L.A. so we’ll see how that turns out.”

He was originally signed to both an MMA and a boxing contract with Elite XC and their partner Gary Shaw until their recent spat. “I never left boxing,” Noons said. “My intention was to box under Gary’s company but I never got the chance.”

Noons (7-1, 5 KOs as a pro boxer) will be campaigning as a 154 pounder on November 13th at the Expo Center in El Monte, California against Alejandro Bogarin. He’s excited to get back in the ring. “I’m training at City Boxing with Pepe Morales. It’s all about getting back to the fundamentals and getting back in shape,” Noons said. “Boxing is so different than MMA. The whole goal is to get to the form that made me an MMA champion.”

Noons is seeking to become the first successful mixed martial artist that crosses over to big time boxing. “My goal is to hold world titles in both boxing and MMA,” Noons said. “I plan to put in the work and slowly climb my way to a title shot. I know it’s going to take time.”

Having grown up as the son of Karl Noons, a professional kick boxer, K.J. eventually realized that fighting was his future. “Since my father was a fighter, martial arts were brought to my attention early in life. I worked at it all through high school,” Noons said. “When it came time for college, I already had all this experience in the fight game. So why go study for a long period of time? I had been working at my profession since I was a kid. When it was time for college, I already had a PHD in fighting. It was always my intention to fight or coach or own a gym.”

Noons was born in Hawaii but now trains out of “America’s Finest City” San Diego, California. He was once deemed as MMA’s “Golden Boy”. The one whose marketable looks and talent was supposed to help Elite XC climb successfully into the MMA promotional octagon against companies like the UFC and the now defunct IFL.

Maybe Noon’s debut on Showtime should’ve been an ominous sign of future things to come for Elite XC, which is rumored to be struggling after Kimbo Slice’s career was derailed in 14 seconds. Noons was matched against one Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett. Bennett is a brawler with a brutal punch who was considered dangerous but inconsistent and under-achieving.

Less than a round later, Noons’ big time debut had come to a crashing halt after Bennett landed a perfect right that sent him crumbling to the canvas. “Losing my first televised fight by knockout was a huge disappointment,” Noons recalled. “There were a lot of expectations coming into the event. But I kept my head up after the loss and I learned a great lesson. Everybody falls. Just because you fall flat on your face doesn’t mean you can’t come roaring back.”

Noons welcomes the change back to boxing. He says he’s determined to leave his mark on both sports. “I’ve been doing this before I ever got paid, so money isn’t the motivation,” Noons said. “It’s about trying to accomplish something no one has done. To hold a boxing and an MMA world title. I also thrive on proving people wrong.”

As far as his rivalry with Stockton’s Nick Diaz is concerned. “It’s real. It’s very real,” assured Noons. “I’d fight him in a pro boxing match. Whether it’s boxing or MMA. The fight will eventually happen.”

Diaz had stated earlier in an interview with TSS that he’d love to fight Noons in the boxing ring and that he “would beat the (pee) out of him.”

Diaz has never hidden his dislike for Noons,  whom he sees as a phony. Or a “poser” as Diaz would say. He was angry that his first fight against Noons had been stopped on cuts against his wishes. He became even angrier after a scuffle between the Diaz and Noons camps broke out after Noons’ first defense of his title in Hawaii.

Noons blamed Diaz for the blow up. Diaz blamed Noons. Noons then went on “Inside MMA” where he poked fun by having the camera man zoom in on a picture of a badly cut Diaz and calling his work a masterpiece. “They should call me the artist,” he said as he pointed to the picture. “Because this right here is a masterpiece and I created it.”

It incensed Diaz.

Noons says that the bit on “Inside MMA” was done just for fun. “It was just some trash talk. Sometimes this stuff gets under my skin and I feel like venting,” Noons said. “I came up with that and you know sometimes there’s room in MMA for a little trash talk. I would hope that no one took that seriously.”

Diaz sure took it seriously. According to our last conversation with him, it made his blood boil just a little bit more. He wants to pound Noons the first chance he gets.

“People have their opinions and sometimes my words are taken out of context,” Noons said. “But I’m a good person and a simple guy just trying to make it like everybody else. Whether it’s boxing or MMA, my intention is to rise to the top and eventually make history. As far as Nick Diaz is concerned, I know we’ll meet up again. I just don’t know when or if it’ll be as a boxer or a mixed martial artist.”

Share The Sweet Science experience!
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Pacquiao-is-Back,-Fabio-in-England-and-More.jpg
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap 329: Pacquiao is Back, Fabio in England and More

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Fabio-Wardley-Comes-from-Behind-to-KO-Justis-Huni
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Fabio Wardley Comes from Behind to KO Justis Huni  

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Delving-Into-'Hoopa'-With-Notes-on-Books-by-George-Plimpton-and-Joyce-Carol-Oates
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Delving into ‘Hoopla’ with Notes on Books by George Plimpton and Joyce Carol Oates

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Paro
Featured Articles1 week ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles5 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles6 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

When-Boxing-Was-Big-on-the-Fourth-of-July-A-TSS-Classic
Featured Articles9 hours ago

When Boxing was Big on the Fourth of July: A TSS Classic

A-Boxing-Card-in-Alabama-Goes-Pfft-A-True-Tale-from-the-Underbelly-of-the-Sweet-Science
Featured Articles2 days ago

A Boxing Card in Alabama Goes Pfft: A True Tale from the Underbelly of The Sweet Science

Mexico's-Francisco-Rodriguez-Jr-is-the-TSS-Fighter-of-the-Month-for-June
Featured Articles3 days ago

Mexico’s Francisco Rodriguez Jr is the TSS Fighter of the Month for June

Jake-Paul-Outpoints-Julio-Cesar-Chavez-Jr-plus-Other-Results-from-Anaheim
Featured Articles5 days ago

Jake Paul Outpoints Julio Cesar Chavez Jr plus Other Results from Anaheim

Holly-Holm-Joshua-Edwards-and-Rene-Alvarado-Sparkle-on-the-Paul-Chavez-Undercard
Featured Articles5 days ago

Holly Holm, Joshua Edwards, and Rene Alvarado Sparkle on the Paul-Chavez Undercard

Mbilli-Blasts-Out-Sulecki-in-Quebec-Wilder-TKOs-Herndon-in-Wichita
Featured Articles6 days ago

Mbilli Blasts Out Sulecki in Quebec; Wilder TKOs Herndon in Wichita

Avila-Perspective-Chap-332-Jake-Paul-vs-Chavez-Jr-plus-Mbilli-Deontay-and-More
Featured Articles6 days ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 332: Jake Paul vs Chavez Jr., plus Mbilli, Deontay and More

A-Closer-Look-at-Mario-Barrios-Poised-to-Wreck-the-Comeback-of-a-Legend
Featured Articles1 week ago

A Closer Look at Mario Barrios, Poised to Wreck the Comeback of a Legend

Paro
Featured Articles1 week ago

Liam Paro Returns with a Flourish on Wednesday’s ‘No Limit’ Card in Queensland

More-Medals-for-Hawaii's-Patricio-Family-at-USA-Boxing's-Summer-Festival
Featured Articles1 week ago

More Medals for Hawaii’s Patricio Family at the USA Boxing Summer Festival

Callum-Walsh-Umar-Dzambekov-and-Cain-Sandoval-Remain-Unbeaten-at-Santa-Ynez
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Callum Walsh, Umar Dzambekov and Cain Sandoval Remain Unbeaten at Santa Ynez

Vito-Mielnicki-Whitewashes-Kamil-Gardzielik-Before-the-Home-Folks-in-Newark
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Vito Mielnicki Jr Whitewashes Kamil Gardzielik Before the Home Folks in Newark

Avila-Perspective-Chap-331-Callum-Walsh-Brian-Norman-Galal-Yafai-and-More
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 331: Callum Walsh, Brian Norman, Galal Yafai and More

Brian-Norman-Jr-Bombs-Out-Jin-Sasaki-with-a-Frightful-Left-Hook
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

Brian Norman Jr Bombs Out Jin Sasaki with a Frightful Left Hook

A-Fight-Fan-and-Teremoana-Samson-Junior-Leon-Teremoana
Featured Articles2 weeks ago

A Fight Fan and Teremoana Samson Junior Leon Teremoana

Catching-Up-with-Clay-Moyle-Who-Talks-About-His-Massive-Collection-of-Boxing-Books
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Catching Up with Clay Moyle Who Talks About His Massive Collection of Boxing Books

Richardson-Hitchins-Batters-and-Stops-George-Kambosos-at-Madison-Square-Garden
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Richardson Hitchins Batters and Stops George Kambosos at Madison Square Garden 

Avila-Perspective-Chap-330-Matchroom-in-New-York-plus-the-latest-on-Canelo-Crawford
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

Avila Perspective, Chap. 330: Matchroom in New York plus the Latest on Canelo-Crawford

The-Shafting-of-Blair-the-Flair-Cobbs-a-Familar-Thread-in-the-Cruelest-Sport
Featured Articles3 weeks ago

The Shafting of Blair “The Flair” Cobbs, a Familiar Thread in the Cruelest Sport

Opetaia-and-Nakatani-Crush-Overmatched-Foes-Capping-Off-a-Wild-Boxing-Weekend
Featured Articles4 weeks ago

Opetaia and Nakatani Crush Overmatched Foes, Capping Off a Wild Boxing Weekend

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending