Kickboxing vs. Boxing

[KevK]

Who would win a fight between a kickboxer and a boxer? (this oughtta be good)

[canuck kid]

totally differnent stylez, mute point

[Douglas]

On the street, a kickboxer would probably be the better off. But it's only a guess.

[lugzman]

the problem with this question is that there are so many different boxers and kickboxers are we talking about Tyson or Ali and in kickboxing there is a huge difference between all of the fighters some were boxers some from other martial arts so i think we have to be more specific. it depends on the individual fighter not the style.

[Douglas]

Perhaps if they're in the same weight class?

[KevK]

I'm tired of people saying kickboxers would win in streetfights. That makes no sence. How many kicks do you see in a streetfight that aernt on the ground? That gets on my nerves.

Yea you guys are right, they are two completely different styles. But if the rules were boxing rules you would think the boxer would win. Right?

But if there were kickboxing rules I still think the boxer would win. He could easily get inside kicking range and F u c k him up.

Muay Thai is different however

[greynotsoold]

I think it is worth noting that in kick-boxing there are rules which mandate a minimum number of kicks per round, and the penalty for falling below that number two rounds in a row (I may well be mistaken in the specifics; eg whether or not the rounds must be consecutive) is disqualification. This does not imply that kicking is an advantage; obviously not even "kick" boxers believe that it is.

[AdamGB]

If I was in a street fight? Why wouldn't I kick?

These questions really bother me... :P its like saying who would win a gun fight a man with a stick or a man with an AK 47... :P

Depends whos got the most weapons... I will say though that boxers can take pain and fight harder than people in any other cobat sport out there (yes... even MMA :) and technique all but goes out the window in a real street fight.

its any bodys to be honest... which ever individual is the better fighter will win. Luck also plays a huge part.

[The_One77]

Kickboxers can't take a punch to the chin like Boxers do...
Ive got a video of kickboxing champions and they rarely use there feet to knock out the opponent, the knockouts usually are inside when punch exchanges occur. And most of them can't take a punch.
If a real pressure fighter like Tyson could get inside, the kickboxer would die.
Im not talking about the streets, but legitiment matches

[Mr.B]

Who would win a fight between a kickboxer and a boxer? (this oughtta be good)

The better fighter would win, regardless of whether or not he was a boxer or a kickboxer. Kicking is more "powerful" (all else being equal) but generally slower. Kicking also makes you vulnerable and off balance. A simple front kick can be the most effective tool available to you to keep a "pressure" fighter away from you, but once again, if you miss, you're off balance and not in the best position to defend yourself.

Also, "kickboxer" is too broad a term. Are you including Muay Thai kickboxers because that makes the question that much more complicated considering that they fight with knees, elbows and kicks to the legs.

[fungabhai]

i think a boxer would win because of a boxers feet movement fast hands the way they keep moving their heads about (bob and weave)

[lugzman]

one thing that helps a kicker is the range at which they can fight if you have a good front kick or side kick your opponent shouldn't be close anough to take atvantage of you being off balance also if you are a good kicker you should be on balance after a kick and even be ready to counter if he rushes in. Also leg kicking really could slow down a boxers footwork and bobbing and weeving can play into a big kick. and as far as kickboxers not taking punches well this is becouse of the talent pool being smaller not becouse of the style being able to take a punch has alot to do with the indavidual ( tyson knocked out alot of boxers but that doesnt mean they couldnt take a punch)

[Mr.B]

i think a boxer would win because of a boxers feet movement fast hands the way they keep moving their heads about (bob and weave)

A good kickboxer moves just as much as a boxer and will have similar handspeed. Bobbing and weaving isn't a boxing thing... it's a fighting thing. It's instinctive for a good fighter and a technique that any well trained fighter will work to develop. I completely agree with lugzman about the size of the talent pool. The only place in the world where kickboxing is as big or bigger than boxing that I can think of is Thailand. If you compare a Thai kickboxer to boxer, everything you said about speed, foot movement and head movement goes the other way. Then take into consideration the tolerance for pain and arsenal (hands, feet, knees, elbows) that Thai fighters have and I'd say the kickboxer has the advantage.

if you are a good kicker you should be on balance after a kick and even be ready to counter if he rushes in.

The best kickers in the world know there are people they shouldn't kick. Liddell vs. Couture 3 is great example of that. Liddell is great with his hands and feet, but knows better than to kick Couture. If one of your feet is 5 or 6 feet off the ground, you don't have the balance or strength using your one planted foot to move as well as if both feet were solidly on the ground.

Also leg kicking really could slow down a boxers footwork

Definitely. The fight that comes to mind is Pedro Rizzo and Tank Abbott. Obviously neither is a boxer or a kickboxer. But watching that fight, I kept expecting tank to destroy the guy, but after a few minutes, it was obvious that Tank's legs were totally useless after being battered with leg kicks.

[KevK]

What do you guys mean exactly, by saying the better "fighter" would win. This is the best answer for the question I started. The better "fighter" indeed would win in a street fight situation. But define "fighter" for me please.

[Mr.B]

What do you guys mean exactly, by saying the better "fighter" would win. .... But define "fighter" for me please.

That's sorta like asking us to explain rocket science to you in a forum... there's so many things that factor into being a good fighter. Instinct, strength, speed, tolerance for pain, reflexes, lack of sympathy... Some people are just genetically predisposed towards being better fighters. Also, the way you're raised has a lot to do with it. Lots of people have never been pushed enough to develop into a real fighter.