RabidMAT12

Im not talking about muay thai but the general sort of kickboxing.
At the moment we are punching wing chun style, remembering to keep our hands up while stealing kicks from all over the board ( i use sort of semi muay thai kicks and my teacher didnt seem to mind). It is my teachers own style called Chum Kune Do but it is still classed as kickboxing (allowable in tournaments). So what is the actual definition of kickboxing??????

ps dont say boxing with kicks.

RabidMAT12

Sorry that should have been remembering to keep your hands up in a boxing stance.

Tom Yum

American kickboxing is a blend of western boxing with the kicking techniques of karate, tae kwon do etc. Kicks are thrown above the waste, as are punches and fighters wear gloves.

Seems like those who came from boxing background did well because they trained for full contact allready and had to learn 2-3 kicks and they were ready.

It is more difficult to come from a karate background and learn boxing, because most karate practicioners practice in point fighting stances (sideways - one hand down covering exposed side, other covering face) and have stiff hand techniques, with little body power. The backfist can stun but not as hard as a jab; the reverse punch has greater power, but is still a little stiff. The ridgehand is too stiff to match the power and explosiveness of a hook.

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fugetsu

The term "kickboxing" is originally a Japanese term referring to Thaiboxing or Muay Thai. The sport of kickboxing took off in Japan in the late '70s and early '80s. The early pioneers and fighters influenced a generation of Europeans--mostly Hollanders--who established a number of gym that have become world famous today. While most early Japanese kickboxing pioneers were Karate or Japanese kempo players, many if not most had Thai trainers. Even today, most gyms in Japan have a resident Thai trainer to work with their fighters.
Kickboxing as a sport in Japan has rules similar to Muay Thai--kicking leg, body, head; elbows, knees to body and head, clinch and/or blumb and other things that are used in Muay Thai in Thailand. However, the rounds are timed differently--only a one minute rest period between rounds as opposed to two in Muay Thai; and judged differently--an emphasis on damage rather than technique, not as much emphasis on the clinch/blumb and other nuances that I am don't know off the top of my head.
Also, as a sport, kickboxing in Japan is spectator oriented while in Thailand it seems that gambling (like the horse or dog races in the US) is the primary impetus for fan-related support of the sport. So, needless to say, this affects how the resepective arts of Muay Thai and kickboxing are practiced, performed, and perpetuated in Thailand and Japan.
As for in the US, I would say that what is called kickboxing in the '80s came out of the Japanese/European spheres but was not successfully institutionalized and regulated as a form of competition. Now, with the rise of MMA and Thaiboxing in the US, kickboxing refers more and more to the Thai and/or Japanese/European forms of competition. Yet still, it is a generic term that can be slapped onto anything from crappy karate with boxing gloves to Muay Thai taught and practiced for the ring.
While not exhaustive, I hope this answers your question.

Tom Yum

Yet still, it is a generic term that can be slapped onto anything from crappy karate with boxing gloves..>>>

Hey, are you insulting "Bad" Brad Hefton...jk. Kickboxing in America is a generic term that can mean anything - crappy karate with boxing gloves, European/Japanese, Muay Thai and San Shou. Each with their own emphasis.

You forgot one distinction - kickboxing in Thailand is also for heavy drinking spectators and gambling; not just gamblers alone. Mostly the occasional auzzies with the locals I guess.

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retired

Yeah like we still have to advertise a thaiboxing show as kickboxing or most people wont understand.