Boxing a Muay Thai Fighter

[FionMacCumhail]

Hey all,

I'm relatively new here though I've been lurking for quite some time.

I went to a boxing gym for about six months but had to quit because it was a two hour bus ride every day and it burnt me out. However, there weren't really any others around that I could conveniently get to so I joined a muay thai gym that opened up down the block from me. I like muay thai also, though boxing will always have a special place in my heart, but being a heavy dude that I am, kicking is very hard for me. Also, since I trained for awhile in boxing, my hands are very strong and so I like to throw them but I know that the seasoned folks in the gym are going to kill me with these kicks.

Since light sparring is part of the training regimen, I decided to try and use my boxing to my advantage. I've adjusted my stance a little bit to better defend myself against the kicks, but I was wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to fight a muay thai fighter with punches only until I learn how to kick better? It seems like it might be hard but hopefully not impossible. Any and all suggestions, comments are appreciated.

[Eric Bradach]

Timing is everything, as soon as you see that they're throwing a kick throw a punch to the head. It doesn't even have to be a hard cross or hook, just a jab works well.

[TheMadHatter]

if you arent going to throw kicks at least check them, since you are a bigger guy you can use the thai clinch to your advantage too.

[SAAMAG]

Just use Muay Thai, but kick less until you can do so confidently.

[Gallon]

From my experiences:

Pressure heavy (cardio intensive, I'm sure) with your punches; don't give your partner room to breathe.

Worked on me (I'm the "Muay Thai" guy in the gym).

[Zombles]

learn how to kick and knee and elbow

[KounterPunch]

Suckers for uppercuts / shots up the middle .
Body is wide open for you because they're so square. Straight shots to the pit of the stomach or to the sides (behind the elbows)
Try to minimize the dipping though.

Since most have their guard hands too rigid , they're easy to guide n steer out of position .
Mix up your shots with soft n hard ones . They're bad at telling which ones which.
Touch to their wrists to pin their gloves then let it rip.
Dutch block the body kicks n let it rip.
A good one , if u got the timing n legs for it , is to dip n absorb their low kick and pop back up with hard shots. Watch Kraus / hoost ( answers with a low kick though) , Souwer do this. Only do this a few times though or not even if the guys a heavy kicker. If u feel his kicks ain't so bad then it's a great move.

Learn to catch teep then answer with same hand counter hook eg front teep gets a left hook . Buakaw is great t that.

Don't throw single shots. Work up n down and up the middle

Most imp , either be too far or fairly close.

If they try to clinch , don't let them. Clinching in mt becomes a whole lot harder when one guy refuses to play ball. When / if he does clinch you , don't try to keep throwing shots you'll get head pulled under faily quickly. Instead grab him tight by the waist like a lover and bend him backwards or walk him back.

That'll do , Pig.....that'll do.

[KounterPunch]

Watch a lot of Dutch fighters . A number of them get by with just old hands , timing and kick defense.
Albert Kraus , Virgil kalakoda (a boer) , Jerome le banner ( a Frenchman) , hell even an old Francois Botha gave them k1 guys fits.
Nicky Holzken , Abdullah Mabel , Joerie Mes have a very hands heavy style too

[Zombles]

not trying to be a dick i know muay thai is kind of forced on you by circumstance but going in with the mindset to box up a bunch of muay thai guys is not so good

learn the sport for what it is, you'll always have the boxing training and you'll always be better for it, but light sparring is the time to practice and experiment with what you're bad at not stick with what you know

there are a lot of tactics for guys that favor their hands in muay thai to be sure, but to start at least i'd look at it as being a novice in a new sport you're learning from the ground up. focus on your kicks and knees and elbows and clinch fighting if anything. when you're comfortable with the basics start forging a style

who knows you might even fall in love with the other 6 points

[Phlog]

Originally Posted by KounterPunch

Suckers for uppercuts / shots up the middle .
Body is wide open for you because they're so square. Straight shots to the pit of the stomach or to the sides (behind the elbows)
Try to minimize the dipping though.

Since most have their guard hands too rigid , they're easy to guide n steer out of position .
Mix up your shots with soft n hard ones . They're bad at telling which ones which.
Touch to their wrists to pin their gloves then let it rip.
Dutch block the body kicks n let it rip.
A good one , if u got the timing n legs for it , is to dip n absorb their low kick and pop back up with hard shots. Watch Kraus / hoost ( answers with a low kick though) , Souwer do this. Only do this a few times though or not even if the guys a heavy kicker. If u feel his kicks ain't so bad then it's a great move.

Learn to catch teep then answer with same hand counter hook eg front teep gets a left hook . Buakaw is great t that.

Don't throw single shots. Work up n down and up the middle

Most imp , either be too far or fairly close.

If they try to clinch , don't let them. Clinching in mt becomes a whole lot harder when one guy refuses to play ball. When / if he does clinch you , don't try to keep throwing shots you'll get head pulled under faily quickly. Instead grab him tight by the waist like a lover and bend him backwards or walk him back.

That'll do , Pig.....that'll do.

Great advice. Your fists should be faster than their kicks, interrupt them. Bas has a train vid bout blocking kicks and countering. If your big your unlikely to be skipping out the way. Let them rue kicking you, step in, their guard will prob be worse when they kick. My newb thoughts.