Switching from Muay Thai to Boxing

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Ryyonvin

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Hey guys,

As someone who's strictly taken Muay Thai for several years and is interested in trying out Western boxing for the first time, what are some issues I will potentially run into? I'm aware that my stance will be different but I'm wondering if any of the technique I've learned from Muay Thai will be considered "bad habits" in the world of boxing.
 
Head movement

Evasive movement

Standing straight up (learning not to)

Never tilting backwards. Unlearn that.

Putting more pivot into your punches

Sitting down on your punches (you might be used to "rising up" when striking, this is the opposite)

Being and staying "compact"

Footwork (study tape of the best and ask your coach, etc)

Defensive movement

Theory in general (try to study and get a feel for it, it's quite different than kickboxing/MT)

You'll basically want to bend your knees more and stay a little lower to the ground, that's one way to fix a lot of these
 
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If you're at a good boxing gym where they teach you the fundamentals from the ground up, you're not likely to run into issues since the coaches will fix everything from the very beginning starting with the stance. They won't even teach you how to throw a jab until your stance is sound and you have basic footwork figured out.

I was in kickboxing and Muay Thai for a few years before I went to a boxing gym and the above is exactly what happened. The only real issue I had was getting used to working in boxing range rather than kickboxing/MT range since my habit in those sports was "stay the hell out of punching range".
 
Hand speed, you'll be surprised how fast they hit you

IIRC @ARIZE switched from MT to boxing not too long ago as well. @AndyMaBobs can confirm.
 
aerius said:
If you're at a good boxing gym where they teach you the fundamentals from the ground up, you're not likely to run into issues since the coaches will fix everything from the very beginning starting with the stance. They won't even teach you how to throw a jab until your stance is sound and you have basic footwork figured out.

I was in kickboxing and Muay Thai for a few years before I went to a boxing gym and the above is exactly what happened. The only real issue I had was getting used to working in boxing range rather than kickboxing/MT range since my habit in those sports was "stay the hell out of punching range".
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Ah I can see the same thing for myself. I do not like being in the pocket at all which I imagine you spend a lot of time in for boxing. Unfortunately in my immediate area there aren't really any classic boxing gyms, everything is mma based these days it seems. However I do know a couple of ex boxers that offer coaching. Do you have any tips for what to look for in a good boxing instructor?
 
j123 said:
Hand speed, you'll be surprised how fast they hit you

IIRC @ARIZE switched from MT to boxing not too long ago as well. @AndyMaBobs can confirm.
Click to expand...

I've always admired the speed of their hands which is one of the reasons I'm excited to learn the art.
 
Ryyonvin said:
Ah I can see the same thing for myself. I do not like being in the pocket at all which I imagine you spend a lot of time in for boxing. Unfortunately in my immediate area there aren't really any classic boxing gyms, everything is mma based these days it seems. However I do know a couple of ex boxers that offer coaching. Do you have any tips for what to look for in a good boxing instructor?
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Do NOT go to any MMA gym for boxing lessons. If you're serious about it, a good boxing instructor (preferrable someone who has produced good fighters or has a good reputation) is the way to go. You will learn soooo much more, and a lot faster, with private 1on1 sessions from a legit boxing coach than you will going to classes at an MMA gym.

Obviously, if you want to do MMA, going to the gym is a good idea. Same with going to a boxing gym for boxing, but I would still substitute with private lessons.

EDIT:
On what you can expect being different, it's a lot. You have to learn to fight at a different range, you have to learn to move differently, you use your eyes a lot differently and your defense becomes a lot more varied. The angles are also different and your footwork will improve a lot as well.
 
Ryyonvin said:
I've always admired the speed of their hands which is one of the reasons I'm excited to learn the art.
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I've been actually thinking about it as well, I have to factor in other things such as budget and whatnaught but its a good idea.

There's a gym I know that incorporates a good boxing program and they're doing great in the ammy MT scene.

I think the gym culture is a bit different as well despite both being combat sports. Not sure if the old school "Don't talk to other another trainer's fighter" is still in effect, but that seemed foreign to me when I first heard about it.

Wearing boxing shoes is a different concept as well.
 
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Muay Thai has the elbows out for kick defence, but this is a bad habit in boxing.
 
j123 said:
IIRC @ARIZE switched from MT to boxing not too long ago as well. @AndyMaBobs can confirm.
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You fukin fuker.... Why you have to go and spread those disgusting rumors about me?... And don't think i haven't see the nonsense you tell in the thread about brawlers...
 
ARIZE said:
You fukin fuker.... Why you have to go and spread those disgusting rumors about me?... And don't think i haven't see the nonsense you tell in the thread about brawlers...
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Its true, esp. around here
 
ARIZE said:
In MT, you check body kicks like you check low kicks...
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True but in boxing you block punches to the body as you do the head, but you don't leave the body wide open in between time.

Why dont their ribs get smashed to pieces by kicks punches and knees?

Why not use the boxing guard? It still stops some power to the head and the body


Dutch Kickboxing

24b.jpg


San Shou

maxresdefault.jpg


combat sambo

fedorcombatsambo.jpg


Muay Thai

maxresdefault.jpg
 
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BringBackTRTforFairness said:
How do the Thais get away with that when round kciks can shatter the ribs worse than boxing punches even?
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ARIZE said:
In MT, you check body kicks like you check low kicks...
Click to expand...

Or you step out away from the power arc of the kick to catch and sweep.

Standing rooted to catch a full power body kick is a great way to get your ribs broken though...
 
Paradigm said:
Maybe...or maybe those other styles don't know how to Thai box like the Thais.

<Fedor23>
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True none of the others are as good at striking imo I think teh thais are the best but even they have flaws. It seems a flaw, it seems like a throw back to when their were no boxing gloves just wraps, and the head needed extra protection

So it IS inferior most likely for sport at least


Bare knuckle boxers ironically had their hands low lol


muay-thai-fight-buakaw-vs-konstantynov.jpg


seems they have it in between the 2 now?

Or even fully the western guard, figures
 
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BringBackTRTforFairness said:
True none of the others are as good at striking imo I think teh thais are the best but even they have flaws. It seems a flaw, it seems like a throw back to when their were no boxing gloves just wraps, and the head needed extra protection

So it IS inferior most likely for sport at least


Bare knuckle boxers ironically had their hands low lol


muay-thai-fight-buakaw-vs-konstantynov.jpg


seems they have it in between the 2 now?

Or even fully the western guard, figures
Click to expand...

Not sure it's ironic that bare knuckled guys had their hands low...seems like they threw lots more body shots back then and you could probably break hands easily on a forehead.
 
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