Muay Thai or Boxing

[Mojorisin99]

I have the option of doing Boxing 3 times a week or Muay Thai twice. I was going to take them both but that may be overkill (I do Judo as well) and the contrasting styles may confuse me. If you had to choose one, which would you choose and why?

 

[Dominic Kihlstrand]

depends. Are you doing it for fun or what? Career, get in shape? whats goin down?

 

[Mojorisin99]

I am doing it to get in shape and for an intense physical workout. I would also like something that is more practical for self defense.

 

[#1can]

alot of people here will tell you that boxing training combined with a bit of a takedown defense and a bit of kick defense is the best way to go for competition...which at least sorta means its the best for self defense. Mind you what attacker on the street is going to expect a big left toe hitting him in the ear...search function(???)

 

[Marvin Covar]

boxing will get you in shape faster, boxers have insane conditioning. muay thai ain't no joke either, but i'd say if your prime concern is to get in shape then train boxing. if you'd like to train for self-defense, train whichever you like.

 

[Dominic Kihlstrand]

I would have to say that Muay Thai is better for overall body conditioning, as well as better for self defense, simply for the clinch work and elbows. I mean a knee to the body of a person that isn't expecting it is killer. But remember, it is your choice. I recommend Muay Thai, simply you get to learn more, and the attacks are more brutal. Many people will disagree with me I'm sure, but it is only my opinion.

 

[Vovchanchyn Fan]

For the self-defense angle, Muay Thai is better. The only issue with boxing is that once you learn to really pack a punch, you've also greatly increased your chance of breaking your hand on the other guys head. (A common occurence in bare knuckle boxing days as well from what I've read), but you can throw knees and elbows a plenty in a street fight and come out fine.

For conditioning, boxing has an edge imo, but you can still get dry heaves after a solid muay thai drill session (esp. with kicks) so for your two purposes, it sounds like Muay Thai would be the best choice.

 

[Mojorisin99]

Do you spar frequently in Muay Thai? Or is it too dangerous with the knees and elbows?

 

[TapSD]

Muay Thai gives you insane conditioning and you use every part of your body to hurt someone

 

[SmashiusClay]

Do you spar frequently in Muay Thai? Or is it too dangerous with the knees and elbows?

almost every single MT school wil spar regularly, the use of elbows in sparring is generally frowned upon, along with knees to the head as there is too great a danger of cuts.

 

[TapSD]

almost every single MT school wil spar regularly, the use of elbows in sparring is generally frowned upon, along with knees to the head as there is too great a danger of cuts.

True

 

[Kamehameha]

preference. I'm a boxer b/c i prefer to use my fists (i used to take TKD and kung fu) and its a huge sport w/ my culture so i just fell into it. Its true that MT has more weapons but in a street fight, all u need is a good pair of fists to put someone away. In the end its all about preference, a boxer or thai boxer would equally beat the shit outta some random thug, b/c 99% of the time, u wont find yourself in a fight against a trained opponent b/c fighters hardly ever start fights in my experience. We're a more humble breed than the street trash out there.

 

[Sinister]

preference. I'm a boxer b/c i prefer to use my fists (i used to take TKD and kung fu) and its a huge sport w/ my culture so i just fell into it. Its true that MT has more weapons but in a street fight, all u need is a good pair of fists to put someone away. In the end its all about preference, a boxer or thai boxer would equally beat the shit outta some random thug, b/c 99% of the time, u wont find yourself in a fight against a trained opponent b/c fighters hardly ever start fights in my experience. We're a more humble breed than the street trash out there.

Agreed. Most effective street-fight technique ever = the MOMENT your prospective opponent opens his mouth send him a crisp, fast, solid straight-cross either right in the nose or teeth. 9 times out of 10 the fight is over. And that 1 time out of the ten you still have the advantage.

The rest is just what kind of physical health you want and what other things you want to be able to do.

 

[eljamaiquino]

I have the option of doing Boxing 3 times a week or Muay Thai twice. I was going to take them both but that may be overkill (I do Judo as well) and the contrasting styles may confuse me. If you had to choose one, which would you choose and why?

I come from a judo background and I would prefer to do boxing myself. I just like to stay in the habit of keeping both feet on the ground. Maybe do some muay thai to get kick defense and knees after your boxing gets good. Boxing stance is a closer mesh with judo since you don't emphasize kicks much. Box then use judo when you enter into clinch range. Muay Thai guys don't throw elbows in sparring so you can practice them on your own and you won't miss too much.

 

[Mojorisin99]

Anyone do both of them at the same time?

 

[moodymikey]

i train in Muay Thai and its a killer for conditioning, and definitely I think it will make you more street wise. the majority of people on the street will be expecting a punch, but few will expect a kick to the head etc. if i was you i would give both a shot, and stick with the one you prefer

 

[myrtle]

I would say muay thai probably because i currently do it, or maybe because i think that u shouldent limit your potential, learn to fight with all weapons and all distances..i trained kali, muay thai and grappling so that i can use whatever i need.

say for a instance that you would someday like to compete and you fight a boxer. The boxer knows one thing ,how to throw a punch, now if you trained as much boxing as him it will be a WAAAAR!!!
if you however trained muay thai, you can try avoiding the fists and just use feet/shins elbows and knees and grappling.

say you would meet a muaythai specialist you can handle the kicks and take the guy down with ease and then choke em out or whatever you want...

just my 2 cents

 

[Jaxx]

I have the option of doing Boxing 3 times a week or Muay Thai twice. I was going to take them both but that may be overkill (I do Judo as well) and the contrasting styles may confuse me. If you had to choose one, which would you choose and why?

For what it is worth, i'd say boxing.

You do Judo so prob dont wanna take your feet off the floor. If you were doing MMA i'd say adapted boxing ( defend leg kicks and train clinch strikes ) or Muay Thai with a heavy emphasis on the hands.


Note, these are prob the same thing so it's up to you!

 

[monkey roll]

i train in Muay Thai and its a killer for conditioning, and definitely I think it will make you more street wise. the majority of people on the street will be expecting a punch, but few will expect a kick to the head etc. if i was you i would give both a shot, and stick with the one you prefer

i personally won't do a kick to the head, cause i'm just not that good. But a kick to the splin will knock anyone down, i don't care if they block my kick to the ribs, it's still going to hurt like hell.

 

[odin87]

I would personally go with Muay Thai. Thai Boxing involves everything from your feet to your head. Its brutal and it will also get you into shape.