Savate fighters vs Muay thai fighters

[Maxximus]

I haven't seen too many Savate fights. I was wondering how Savate fighters usually hold up against thai fighters. Anyone have any observations they'd like to share?

[Underdog]

Here in europe most savate and thai guys compete in both disciplines, actually the training is way similar, with more emphasis on the clinch and knees in thaiboxing, while savate guys are more similar to old-style kickboxing.

[Rock Ape]

When you start competing in the various types of kickboxing competitions you will find that most Savate guys are "cross-trained" and employ the basic techniques of Muay Thai. As such, it is hard to guage a style vs style comparison. I would add that in such competitions, Muay Thai is a more complete style that doesn't need to add much to be successful in the ring.

[Iceman]

It always depends on the fighter and of course, what rules.

As was mentioned, most Savate fighters in Europe compete in different kinds of events (Thai, American Kick, Boxe Francaise). Savate matches don't pay anything because it's controlled by the French Federation (ie Goverment) so when the guys want to make money, they HAVE to fight Thai rules.

Savate matches do NOT have the clinch so when a more Savate-trained fighter fights THAI rules, he has to learn to deal with the clinch. Also, all kicking in Savate MUST be done ONLY with the shoe, so I actually find it difficult myself to sometimes re-adjust the distance from shin to shoe (I can also vouch for how much those damn shoes hurt!) ;-O

Some Savateurs have titles in different catagories. Though, when I was training in France, it's a general rule at most gyms that once you leave Savate for 6 months or so to fight Thai or American, it's almost impossible to return to the ring and re-teach yourself the constant movement.

Kamel CHOUREF (Savate world champion) just fought and defended his Muay Thai (Oriental rules) title last month in Italy.

I have fought both Muay Thai and Savate and enjoy them both.

I "like" Savate more right now because the abscense of the clinch/knees in Boxe Francaise allows for more boxing hand work (which I enjoy being a big fan of English Boxing). This doesn't mean I think one is "better" than the other.


Armando Basulto
New Jersey Savate Federation
http://www.wayofnoway.com
bjjsavate@yahoo.com


[Edited by Iceman on 02-20-2001 at 09:23 AM]

[Slider]

When was Savate created?

[Iceman]

Slider,
Savate and Boxe Francaise Savate was first codified from different French streetfighting styles in the 19th century.
However, the origions go back at least to the 17th century and can be traced to the medieval period.

The modern ring manifestation of Savate (the kickboxing) or "Boxe Francaise" which is the combination of Savate with English Boxing is also from the 19th century.

When the ring version of Savate was first introduced it actually had sweeps, takedowns, throws, etc and probably looked pretty similar to modern San Shou matches.
The French Martial arts also includes LUTTE which has throws, leg-locks (though nothing as sophisticated as BJJ or the like) and weapons (La Canne-fighting cane, Baton-quarterstaff). These other elements of Savate have pretty much taken a back-seat to the ring-sport we see today.

BTW, I just a documentary recently where the narrator mentioned how "French sailors learned how to kick when they were in the Orient".....there is no historical basis for this whatsoever. This is from the Bruce Tegner legacy who published a very misinformed book on Savate in the 60's.

sorry if I was longwinded....

Peace,
Armando
New Jersey Savate Federation
http://www.wayofnoway.com