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In the US, boxers train harder and condition more than TMAs. They extensively work on leg conditioning and reflexes while learning how to take a hit. TMAs assume boxing is all upperbody and practice either defending against static 1 or 2 arm "locked out" punches or spar via point fighting strikes - backhand, ridgehand or reverse punch.
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I agree with you that the majority of boxing gyms train to a much more intense extent to the most 'Martial arts' schools.
What has to be appriciated here is that about 80% of MA schools in the West (and to an extent the east) claiming to be traditional or 'authentic' are nothing of the sort.
How many 2,3 dan black belts are around teaching - at this level you are a beginner.
I think that this percentage of low grade fighters claiming mastery can be ignored.
If we are talking about boxing vs traditional arts we need to look at the 'real' traditional arts. Go to the lineage source.
You can say - 'yeh but there are more good boxers than good MA's' Not if we take into account every style of MA. Muay Thai, kali, JKD, Kyokushinkai Karate, Japanese JuJutsu, Internal Chinese arts, External chinese arts (well over 50 styles of kung fu many including moves that look very very similar to boxing) etc etc etc.
I honestly think that if we look at the current MA picture vs the current Boxing picture - the obvious choice is Boxing for the reasons stated by Tom yum.
But if we look at the 'real' Martial arts, with good lineage and look at their training methods it is a different story.
I would say that an expert in MA of many styles would defeat a straight boxer in an out and out situation.
Reason: more moves.
If a boxer had his arm broken in a fight he would have one weapon left, if he injured that wrist he would have none. Not a nice situation!
I spar regularly with a very good boxer, he always says its a sport. He recognises that it gives you a good punch, and VERY good fitness but it gives you little else. He now trains in tradtitional JuJutsu as well.
cheers
chris