Muay Thai Punches?

[Shoot]

I’ve heard that Muay Thai is the “science of eight limbs.” So, punching must be two of those eight, right? But, I was told by a very traditional Thai Boxer that punching is not really a part of traditional MT. He said that technically it is part of it, but that it’s like saying TKD has punching when in reality it’s like 90% kicking. He said that punching was used very little traditionally because it could easily cause damage to your hands and that was a very important consideration way back when. He also said that the punching you see in modern MT is western boxing just tacked onto MT. He called it “American Muay Thai” or “Westernized Muay Thai.” Is that true? Is MT really kicks, knees, and elbows in practice and what we see is really "KickBoxing" that has adopted MT techniques?

[Khun Kao]

The very traditional Thai Boxer is incorrect. Punching has always been a part of MuayThai, even before it became a ring sport. Punching was actually more important back then for its ability to open cuts.

Thai's used to fight "bareknuckle". Actually, it wasn't bareknuckle as they wrapped their hands in hemp ropes. They would tie knots into the knuckles to facilitate cutting their opponent. There were styles of the old-style bareknuckle fighting that relied on punching above kicking and knees....

What the person you were talking to probably meant was in regards to modern "ring" MuayThai, Boxing is the least valued. The reason for this is because fighters wear gloves. The elbows, knees, and kicks are not padded, but the fists are, therefore fist attacks don't figure as highly in the scoring.

Its an oversimplification to say that MuayThai just adopted International-style boxing and that it has become "American or Westernized MuayThai". Traditional or Bareknuckle MuayThai uses pretty much all the same techniques as Boxing. They slip, they parry, they bob-n-weave, they use jabs, crosses, uppercuts, and hooks. There really isn't much difference except for the context in which it is used and the emphasis placed on learning these skills.

As stated, Boxing in MuayThai is "undervalued" because of the gloves. For this reason and this reason ONLY MuayThai fighters boxing skills largely remain rudimentary. However, I believe one of the main reasons this is changing is that many MuayThai fighters use MuayThai as a kind of springboard to launch a career in Boxing, where the REAL money can be made.

(Boxing pays SO MUCH BETTER than MuayThai)

[GonzoStyles]

"Hanuman Offers Sita the ring"----------enough said

[muaythaiguy15]

Word, most "trick" techniques you see in Thailand use punchs ::cough cough cobra punch::

Trust me, its easier to break a toe with a kick then a knucle with a punch.

[Jon Masaya]

Very interesting topic! I've always been curious as to how much it goes the other way. How much was western boxing influenced by thai and filipino fighting?