Boxing by any other name

Welcome back to the world of fighting series on vocal.media

Today, I shall be telling you about one of the most famous fighting sports ever.

Boxing.

Many of you know what is going on here in this image. This is a Boxing match.

While Boxing matches are enjoyable by many including yours truly, it is not the only form of boxing that's out there.

While many different styles of boxing are different in techniques, origins and philosophy, to compare them to the modern-day equivalent of boxing is up for discussion

Let's see what they are shall we?

Sanda

Originally created by the Nationalist Party (Guomindang) in the 1920's to train the soldiers. After the Communist victory, it was not popular until the 1970's when various organizations were being formed to promote the style.

In the 1990's, when it became televised, the sport became very popular and the fighters themselves virtually became celebrities.

It is also known as "Chinese Kickboxing" or "Chinese Boxing" that involves three ranges of striking.

Long: kicking, long range punches

Close: Knee strikes, punches

Clinches: take-downs, grappling and clinching strikes

https://fijimuaythai.com/sanda-chinese-kickboxing/

Savate

Originally a technique used by French sailors, street fighters and those of the upper classes. This style of boxing/kickboxing didn't become a real style of fighting until the two progenitors Michel Casseux and Charles Lecour created it with a mixture of French Street fighting and British Boxing.

The student of Charles Lecour was the real pioneer of making this fighting style known on a national scale and making it a professional sport.

http://fightland.vice.com/blog/savate-frances-dangerous-ballet

Dambe

An African style of Boxing that originated with the Hausa people of Africa, it was said to have been founded sometime during the 10th and 11th centuries. It is also known as Kokawa and was founded by the lower caste of people of the Hausa who were meat butchers.

Before the fight begins, the fighters themselves have their punching hand (referred to a spear) with rope that's also called 'kara' tight enough around their firsts to make it feel like the fighter is hitting their opponent with rocks.

The fights last three rounds and there is no time limit. It is determined by which fighter falls to the ground.

Kicks are also used as a way of diminishing the old ways of fighting which consisted of using glass on their kara.

Herbs would be applied to any cuts and it was not uncommon for the fighters to wear charms and smoke marijuana before entering the fight.

https://theculturetrip.com/africa/nigeria/articles/a-look-into-nigerias-brutal-boxing-art-of-dambe/

Lethwei

Otherwise known as "Burmese bare-knuckle boxing" the style of fighting is similar to Muay Thai, except they add in a headbutt as the 9th weapon of the martial arts.

It was founded sometime during the Pyu empire that lasted from the 2nd century BCE to the 11th century CE. Along with Bando and Banshay, this style of fighting was used by the Burmese armies to fight in wars with the countries that bordered Burma

During these times, matches were held for entertainment purposes. Fighters wrapped their hands with hemp or gauze and it was not uncommon for fighters to accept challenges from spectators.

https://thebodylockmma.com/lethwei/lethwei-everything-you-need-to-know-about-burmese-bareknuckle-boxing/

Muay Thai

With this style being a part of the Mixed-Martial Arts, how can you not have heard of it?

As far as one can tell about the first use of Muay Thai dates back to 1238 (Buddhist years) when the first army of Thailand was needed to defeat the nearby warring tribes and kingdoms.

People had their reasons for doing Muay Thai ranging from exercise, self-defense, and discipline. Buddhist monks even taught this style and thus handing down the knowledge and experience of this fighting technique to the next generation.

As it became popular with the commoners and poor folk, the higher classes and royalty eventually made it common for themselves to practice. The first king of Sukhothai had two sons he sent to the Samakorn training center to learn Muay Thai. The king felt that by sending his sons into such training, he would be better preparing them for when they took the throne.

https://www.tigermuaythai.com/about-muay-thai/history

In the end

There are probably more styles of what one would call Boxing, but what I have here is just the start.

Expect more posts from "The World of Fighting" series.

(bowing out)