Boxing is a part of Savate - added when a Savate fighter was badly beaten by a boxer in the 1800's (might be later) - but Assault competition is weighted towards kicks and thus those who practice Boxe Fracaise as opposed to Savate per se, tend to have weak hands. Scoring in competition is 1 pt for leg kicks, 2 for body, and 3 for head. There is no limit to the number of points you can earn for kicking combinations. Punching is scored at 1pt per punch, with a maximum of 2 pts for combinations. So, Assault fighters see hands as something to wave in the opponent's face before scoring with kicks. I've trained with French fighters who have said just that.
That does not mean that there are not Savate/Boxe Francaise fighters who have gone on to work their boxing skills. Full contact Combat fighters certainly work the hands.
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