I'm really curious about this, so I figured I'd ask you boxers for your opinion. Why would someone study boxing rather than kickboxing? (If you had the option to do either.) Reason I ask is because I assume you learn boxing when you learn kickboxing. Maybe it's not the exact same thing, but isn't kickboxing just boxing plus kicking? (Feel free to knock some sense into me if this isn't the case!) I also assume that being able to utilize your legs offensively would be better for self defense, though I guess not everyone studies martial arts for self defense. So yeah, how would you convince a customer shopping for martial arts to pick boxing over kickboxing?
A jack of all trades is a master of none. After 1,000 hours of boxing, your punches will be better than they would be after 1,000 hours of kickboxing. If you don't like the idea of throwing kicks, studying boxing may be the pragmatic option.
I'm an illustration of Mitlov's point (which is incidentally what he should now call his sabre ). While my kicks aren't hilariously bad they're just not something that comes naturally to me while punching technique does, hence, I stick to boxing and my punching has improved far more as a result than if I would have done kickboxing in its place. It just comes down to specialising vs generalising. On the same premise one could ask why kickboxers and boxers don't practice muay thai instead.
Good points. In a way my question is pretty dumb, like asking "why not try and master all martial arts instead of sticking with one?" I was actually considering asking that question in the kickboxing forum but thought that might be overkill
I've done both. Wrap your head around this: between a boxer and the kickboxer, which one is the superior puncher? The boxer, of course. Though, in the case of whose the more well-rounded fighter, it'd go to the kickboxer. Since boxing training is solely about the science of using your fists, you are far more complex in utilizing punches and strategies involving them than you would a kickboxer (the style of 'Kick' I studied used punches, knees, elbow, kicks, forearm strikes). This kind of exclusive focus on one method of fighting is advantageous in that it teaches you everything you could do effectively with simply that one method. Think of the student who solely trains in Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu. That student's capacity for grappling would be 100%, more than someone who studied in a hybrid style which yielded 40% boxing, 40% kicking, 20% grappling. Sure, when it comes to stand-up, the BJJ man will probably get clocked, but once both are in the ground, the more knowlegable grappler will most likely prevail. It's a common misconception that boxing solely focuses on punching techniques, but the footwork and evasive tactics play an invaluable part to any fighter or anyone who wants learn self-defense (There's a reason why boxing has been called, "The Manly Art of Self-Defense). If you go into any kickboxing gym whose coaches emphasize basic techniques such as the jab-cross, intricate footwork like the pivot-step, and the utilization of slips and bob-weaving, I bet you they trained extensively in a boxing gym before making the transition over to kickboxing. That's what I've done: I supplement my exclusive boxing training with training in kickboxing in order to be more proficient in using my punches against pure kickboxers and to have the edge in a fight against solely boxers. Every style of fighting, regardless of what you think of their methods, may have something to offer. Now regarding to money associated to which type of style to study, in my defense I go to a boxing gym financed by charities which has allowed me to train with great coaches and Silver/Golden Gloved competitors for free. In the matter of personal self-defense, please keep in mind that, while each combat sport involve intense training and actual fighting, they are still sports. Though you could assuredly wipe the floor with any punk that throws a haymaker at you if you took up boxing/kickboxing, actual assaults are more versatile that that and require a proficiency in all ranges of combat (empty-handed to weapons training, environmental awareness, mental preparation, etc). Consider these factors when deciding if you want to take up martial arts for pure personal defense rather than combat sport.
Kusog explained it perfectly. For what it's worth, when I first started training as a kid, boxing was the "manly thing" to do because only "sissy girls" kicked someone during a fight.
Pretty much no point replying now after Kusog's gem but my main reason is just that my local KB club, while having a good guy running it, seems to focus a lot on head kicks over everything else and that seems more sporty than defence. Also generally boxing gyms have a much bigger conditioning focus from what I've heard
Also a good point. I can count the number of kickboxing joints around my area on one hand, but if I just pick a direction and point there's most likely a boxing gym towards that general way.
from my experience a fighter with a base in boxing with kickboxing thrown in later is more dangerous than someone with a base in kickboxing. after all the punch is the corner stone of fighting (in my opinion)
Could that be because Boxing is more consistant, and Kickboxing could be anything from semi contact tag to 'european rules' full contact?
It could also be that not surprisingly you tend to get a lot more KOs with punches than kicks. There's many Muay Thai clubs (mine included) that have sessions that are devoted almost solely to boxing. I think this is a good thing.
Contrary to the OP, after having studied Muay Thai for about a year I'm actually thinking about cross training in boxing in order to improve my hand speed and technique. I think this would help me a lot when sparring with pure Thai boxers. Just my two cents, I'm not a figher just like to train and spar.
Many people see positive results from boxing trainings. It improves your speed, resistance, strength, flexibility and repetitive motion on arms by sparring and jogging while you punch helps you build stronger and more defined arms and legs.Plus,if you're a boxer, you are more probably gonna go straight for the knock-out.
Sure you could say that about kickboxing, but when i think kickboxing, i think full contact. I think a base in boxing is advantageous over a base in kickboxing, learning to kick someones legs isnt going to end a fight, its a technique employed in combat sports to soften your opponent up to disturb his/her movement. Sure they teach you head kicks in kickboxing but the opportunity to throw a headkick doesn't come by as often, its a minute opening. Learning to punch someone in the face and becoming excessively good at it is going to give you an advantage, you're more likely to knock the person out. I think if we look at some of the great champions in MMA for example, ie the Fedors, BJ Penns, Anderson Silvas, they're all excellent in boxing, and primarily boxing, with some kickboxing/muay thai mixed in to complete their stand-up. On the flipside there are also the rarities like Mirko who are just as lethal with bases in kickboxing, "left head kick" is synonymous with Cro Cop
