Compare boxing with TMA

[Kung Fu Wang]

What's the PRO and CON of boxing if we compare boxing with TMA?

The PRO of boxing:

- A boxer's punch can be 3 dimensions instead of just linear. This makes his opponent hard to deal with. A jab-cross-hook-uppercut 4 punches combo can make his opponent busy in defense.
- A boxer spends more time in fire strategy footwork. This gives him excellent mobility.
- All boxers have great dodging skill.
- A boxer doesn't have to train block/grab/pull (can't grab/pull with boxing gloves on). A boxer can put his mind 100% in punching.
- ...

The CON of boxing:

- Because there is no block/grab/pull, it will be more difficult to integrate wrestling art into boxing that require clinching.
- If a boxer's punch is missing or be blocked, that punch is useless and have to pull back.
- Because Boxers don't train kicking, a boxer's defense against kick can be weak.
- By using TMA term, a boxer's rooting is floated. This make a boxer to be easily swept down.
- ...

I believe we should integrate the PRO of boxing into TMA. What's your opinion on this?

 

[Badhabits]

You forgot a big one. Boxers spend a lot of time hitting and getting hit. That goes a loooooong way.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

You forgot a big one. Boxers spend a lot of time hitting and getting hit. That goes a loooooong way.

Agree that boxing training environment is more realistic. But TMA can also take this approach as well.

One day a guy walked into my school and wanted to learn how to fight. He didn't want to learn any basic, stances, stretching, drill, form, ... We met 4 times a week, 2 hours per session. When he arrived, we just put on gloves and fight each other with full contact. In those 8 months, there were not even a single moment that my body didn't feel pain. Those were some good old days.

 

[Badhabits]

A lot of TMA guys don't like that approach. The dojo I've been training at puts a lot of emphasis on not getting hit at all, which makes some sense from a self defense perspective. I kept getting told I was too willing to get hit, from previous training I didn't mind taking some abuse to get in there and dish some out....... The light bulb finally went on for me when our instructor got me in the belly with his little rubber knife, which I didn't know he had at the time.

 

[Kung Fu Wang]

A lot of TMA guys don't like that approach. The dojo I've been training at puts a lot of emphasis on not getting hit at all, ...

I still remember after those 8 months of training with my guy (he only stayed with me for 8 months), my body started not feeling pain daily. I thought something was wrong with me.

If one assumes

- getting hit is normal, getting hit won't bother him that much.
- not getting hit is normal, getting hit will bother him a lot.

Of course, when we were young, we could afford that kind of body abusing.

 

[Holmejr]

Boxers typically don’t have to deal with kicks and knees. Kicks and knees make the bob and weave more risky. Boxers also have the luxury of keeping their hands high and not worrying about long, midrange or below the waist attacks, including take downs. The overhead is about the longest range attack that they deal with. On the inside boxers don’t have to deal with elbows and whatnot. With that all said, the flow, speed, compact power and defensive skills of boxing can be adapted to any MA, making it a worthwhile addition to the tool box. In our FMA we box while holding our sticks, it similar to holding a roll of quarters! Ouch.

 

[Taiji Rebel]

Boxing is a martial art with a very long history. Before the gloved era all kinds of techniques were allowed. In some ways it was similar to MMA but those days are long gone. Take a look into the FMAs though and you will still find some interesting techniques and applications being used. Panatukan (dirty boxing) is the name and it is clearly not designed for competitive boxing matches. During my time in regular boxing clubs I've come across plenty of guys who are not training for competitions. Your training will be dependent on your goal, it's the same for those who practice karate, kung-fu, judo etc. etc - there are pros and cons with everything, just depends on the context.