Is Boxing Underestimated?

[Testosterone]

Hey guys,

Even in childhood, I was always told that boxing was only a sport and not useful for self-defence. I never thought about it logically, and I guess I excepted what I was told by nearly everyone I spoke to. To add to that, I knew near nothing about boxing.

Recently, as I have been getting more and more into watching the UFC, I have discovered the boxing sensation Vitor Belfort. I originally just thought that he had some punching skills and fast hands, but as I learnt more about him (and got his boxing tape) I realized that he actually studied boxing as (I believe) his primary martial art. In his tapes he discusses how boxing that is used in the ring needs to be altered for no holds barred fights.

After watching the way he destroyed a number of opponents, I began to watch to other UFC fights more closely. I realized that when striking was used, it was almost ALWAYS punches. Leg kicks were used sometimes to try to weaken the opponents legs, but they were rarely useful, and there were only 2 kick knockouts that I have found so far.

Granted that elbows and knees are useful in close combat fighting, they should be used. BUT, they aren't much of an art on their own. Boxing is the ultimate fist combat, and fists are almost the exclusive weapon of striking in real contact fighting.

So, why do most people not consider boxing useful as a striking martial art?

T.

[blitz]

Anyone who says boxing isn't useful is out of his mind. However, it is far from complete. Kicks/takedowns/groundwork/weapons are also part of self defense. And I have seen lots of fights where kicks finished the opponent... Wether its to the gut, to the head or to the leg.

[Testosterone]

Originally Posted by blitz

Anyone who says boxing isn't useful is out of his mind. However, it is far from complete. Kicks/takedowns/groundwork/weapons are also part of self defense. And I have seen lots of fights where kicks finished the opponent... Wether its to the gut, to the head or to the leg.

No no, I mean boxing as a striking art, specifically. Obviously it must be paired up with grappling techniques/a grappling martial art to be effective entirely. I am just saying that I am beginning to feel that it is the ultimate striking art. Why else would so many UFC competitors chose to wear shoes in the tournaments? Kicks arent that useful in real combat, when grappling is allowed (it seems). And of course weapons are another issue entirely.

But im talking specifically about striking...grappling and weapons aside.

[kuk sool won]

I would say quite the opposite, i think, espeically where i come from, boxing is overestimated, people seem to think that all you need is boxing and your'll be a great fighter, speak to pstevens and your'll understand hehe

[shaolin-warrior]

Boxers on the pro level are great athletes. They are the most skilled at hitting effectively at a moving target and equally as proficient at taking a punch. Not to mention the great many hours that they put into physical conditioning so that they can go the distance. Maby not under estimated just mis-understood.

[Hardball]

Originally Posted by blitz

Kicks/takedowns/groundwork/weapons are also part of self defense.

Don't forget throws, Locks, breaks, breakfalls, pressure point knowledge,Chokes, escapes, reversals and putting them all together into effective practice and effective sparring.

[Tant01]

"Is Boxing Underestimated?"


Hehehe.......could be?


Even a master grappler will often "soften" you up with boxing first. Even if it's just a feint that leads to a takedown...


One of my favorite Judoka was a skilled boxer as well, You may have heard of him, Cough:::Kimura:::

[Sensei Saki]

Better not tell you now.

Ask Paola
if it is.I am so glad you find this amusing, .You seem uncertain.
Be more specific.Yes, even that.One what?

[Tant01]

Originally Posted by Sensei Saki

Better not tell you now.

Ask Paola
if it is.I am so glad you find this amusing, .You seem uncertain.
Be more specific.Yes, even that.One what?

Endless nonsense?


You seem uncertain. Can you be more or less specific? What one?

[EmptyneSs]

boxing is awesome in and out of the ring. kicks can be good too, but they need to usually be set up with punches or used as counters to punches. watch some pedro rizzo fights, he uses the leg kick real well.

[blitz]

Originally Posted by Hardball

Don't forget throws, Locks, breaks, breakfalls, pressure point knowledge,Chokes, escapes, reversals and putting them all together into effective practice and effective sparring.

I really meant all grappling techniques but I was lazy..

[shirase]

I find that the big advantage of punching techniques is that they dont affect your position half as much as kicking does. Even if you are doing a low muay thai leg kick, you are on one leg, you are vulnerable to sweeps and takedowns, and you wont be able to throw anything until your leg is back down. The big tradeoff is the power though, because a solid kick to the leg will drop almost everyone except maybe those who have conditioned themselves to take them. So I personally think that it is most effective to combine the two in combinations, jab-cross-leg kick etc so they are too preoccupied to block or dodge the kick.

[OmaPlata]

Originally Posted by Testosterone

Hey guys,



So, why do most people not consider boxing useful as a striking martial art?

T.

Minotauro or Minotar I think the oldest brother just won the brazilian national boxing championships.

[Tom Yum]

Boxing is excellent for fighting. The basic goal behind boxing is to drop your opponent as quickly as possible with about 5 different punches at your disposal.

A lot of traditional martial artists will knock that statement, saying something like "ok, but our style of kung-fu teaches 8 different hand techniques at our disposal, plus 8 types of kicks"

The only way that comment will hold water is if that instructor's techniques are combat proven - which in some cases they are or sometimes not . However an athletically inclined person can learn to throw an effective jab, cross and hook within 2-3 months and be able to use it decently in sparring within 6 months with no fine motor skill requirements.

Many TMA techniques incorporate there assortment of strikes and kicks in sets of pre-arranged techniques rather than in sparring. Will they allways pan out under pressure? Sure if you're a 2nd dan black belt with 6 years of training.

But you can put boxing to work - under pressure - within 6 months. If you allready have an advanced TMA background with contact sparring experience, you could put boxing to work within 3 months - makes you wonder about all that money you spent.

I've written alot about TMA vs boxing from experience in both - 2 completely different goals with two completely different products.

[treehugger]

Originally Posted by Tom Yum

Boxing is excellent for fighting. The basic goal behind boxing is to drop your opponent as quickly as possible with about 5 different punches at your disposal.

A lot of traditional martial artists will knock that statement, saying something like "ok, but our style of kung-fu teaches 8 different hand techniques at our disposal, plus 8 types of kicks"

The only way that comment will hold water is if that instructor's techniques are combat proven - which in some cases they are or sometimes not . However an athletically inclined person can learn to throw an effective jab, cross and hook within 2-3 months and be able to use it decently in sparring within 6 months with no fine motor skill requirements.

Many TMA techniques incorporate there assortment of strikes and kicks in sets of pre-arranged techniques rather than in sparring. Will they allways pan out under pressure? Sure if you're a 2nd dan black belt with 6 years of training.

But you can put boxing to work - under pressure - within 6 months. If you allready have an advanced TMA background with contact sparring experience, you could put boxing to work within 3 months - makes you wonder about all that money you spent.

I've written alot about TMA vs boxing from experience in both - 2 completely different goals with two completely different products.

That is a good post, it is most definitely possible to use boxing effectively after only 3 months training, especially when fighting an unskilled fighter. Plus, boxing is one of the best workouts around. Grappling is a little bit harder to get to the point of being able to use it effectively (at least it was for me) so if you cannot train mma that includes some boxing, and you have access to a boxing gym you would be crazy not to join up.