Boxing has helped me a lot and made my kung fu better

[Spiked]

Kung fu is largely known for its pugilistic practices. But for me western boxing has helped me a ton. My footwork and cardio are the first things that come to my mind. Anyone else box here?

[Egg fu young]

Kung fu is largely known for its pugilistic practices. But for me western boxing has helped me a ton. My footwork and cardio are the first things that come to my mind. Anyone else box here?

I do

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye4Pqb-rtew

I'd been doing the Bas Rutten Muay Thai workout (which is also on my YouTube page) but I got 8 stitches in the ball of my foot last week and am back to doing this one until I get them out.

[madhusudan]

For me, the Kyokushin I did really helped with aggression, attacking and punching power. Though I train solo for now, due to funds, I do have that in my background, so it helps with reality. Kyokushin, at least my experience of it, did not have the technical crispness and focus of boxing, but it does help with understanding being hit, dealing with some pain and damage, soldiering on and hopefully giving more than you take. I'd like to get into a boxing gym when I am able to gain from the experience.

Here is a long video, obviously uploaded to disparage Wing Chun - since every fight has them getting eaten alive. To me, it might represent the type of sissified kung fu people here are discussing, not necessarily just WC. If you watch enough of it you see the kung fu fighters standing around in a traditional guard without a clue as to how to direct the pace of the fight, make the other fighter cautious or much less how to win and give damage. Once the other fighter figures it out, they simply walk in and finish it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czDuH0R73kg

You can see at around 14:50 the Karate fighter has no fear of the WC fighter because with punches and kicks have no power. Finally, he simply wades through another probing punch and delivers a KO. As John said, he is there to eat his opponent alive.

So, yeah, aggression and power are two things missing in a lot of fantasy fighters. I am also working on that myself.

[Spiked]

For me, the Kyokushin I did really helped with aggression, attacking and punching power. Though I train solo for now, due to funds, I do have that in my background, so it helps with reality. Kyokushin, at least my experience of it, did not have the technical crispness and focus of boxing, but it does help with understanding being hit, dealing with some pain and damage, soldiering on and hopefully giving more than you take. I'd like to get into a boxing gym when I am able to gain from the experience.

Here is a long video, obviously uploaded to disparage Wing Chun - since every fight has them getting eaten alive. To me, it might represent the type of sissified kung fu people here are discussing, not necessarily just WC. If you watch enough of it you see the kung fu fighters standing around in a traditional guard without a clue as to how to direct the pace of the fight, make the other fighter cautious or much less how to win and give damage. Once the other fighter figures it out, they simply walk in and finish it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czDuH0R73kg

You can see at around 14:50 the Karate fighter has no fear of the WC fighter because with punches and kicks have no power. Finally, he simply wades through another probing punch and delivers a KO. As John said, he is there to eat his opponent alive.

So, yeah, aggression and power are two things missing in a lot of fantasy fighters. I am also working on that myself.

It is that darn self defense training instilled in their minds, my friend. "As soon as the punch comes in slap it and throw your wing chun jab thing that works great in class". The problem is punches come in bunches and they discover the knockout blow doesn't happen after one wing chun jab.

I have no complaints about kyutoshin. That stuff is awesome but not for the general public. Boxing and mma can be at that level of fighting or it can be family friendly to get a workout.

[Iron_Eagle_76]

I heard boxing described once as the simple but complex fighting system. It is simple in that it works strictly punching, with the jab, cross, hook, and uppercut as the primary weapons being trained. However, footwork, feinting, head movement, entering strategy, all these things take time to master and become proficient in.

The main advantage in boxing is that it does not beat around the bush about how to gain this skill set, basics, mitt work, circuit, sparring. No nonsense.

I boxed for two years as an amateur after being involved in Kung Fu and Karate for several years. When I returned to Kung Fu I looked at things much differently and it improved my Kung Fu greatly.

[Spiked]

I heard boxing described once as the simple but complex fighting system. It is simple in that it works strictly punching, with the jab, cross, hook, and uppercut as the primary weapons being trained. However, footwork, feinting, head movement, entering strategy, all these things take time to master and become proficient in.

The main advantage in boxing is that it does not beat around the bush about how to gain this skill set, basics, mitt work, circuit, sparring. No nonsense.

I boxed for two years as an amateur after being involved in Kung Fu and Karate for several years. When I returned to Kung Fu I looked at things much differently and it improved my Kung Fu greatly.

Did your kung fu brothers get mad at you for beating them with "stuff that is not kung fu"? LOL

[Spiked]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRrWP7Rc8yk

[lkfmdc]

oh that's rich...

[Spiked]

Here is a video of Mike Tyson's great boxing defense.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYZzMPsm6c4

I was taught similar moves by a tai chi teacher. He always said that these moves are within the form but you have to take them out and isolate. The question begs. What came first, chick or egg? Did he get it from tai chi or from boxing. He studies boxing as well though so I am inclined to think that MAYBE due to his training he saw the movements and isolated them OR he literally just added it into his training and called it tai chi. Who is to say the ancient tai cheese did not train this way?

Yes, I actually typed tai cheese as a funny pluralization of tai chi peeps

[Spiked]

You know what? I am just going to say it. He added it in from his boxing training. That is what I believe deep down and there is nothing wrong with what he did. I could see a traditionalist shaking his/her finger at us for doing somethign "extra".

[Kellen Bassette]

Yes, I actually typed tai cheese as a funny pluralization of tai chi peeps

That could actually stick....

[Spiked]

That could actually stick....

I hope it does. I see many tai cheese in the park every morning.

[David Jamieson]

Kung fu is largely known for its pugilistic practices. But for me western boxing has helped me a ton. My footwork and cardio are the first things that come to my mind. Anyone else box here?

Yep. I learned to box and boxed juvenile amateur before I took up Kung fu much later. It is a good skill set for sure.

[Spiked]

One of my early instructors was a pro boxer. Learning how to box from a "Western" perspective had a huge impact on my outlook of "Eastern" boxing methods. In time I was able to alter my technique to encompass a different format and approach. Quickness, timing, response, entry and power all were affected for the better IMO. As a result I gained a ton more confidence in my techniques when it came time to apply them realistically under duress in competition. Western boxing fundamentals, for me, was like a key turning a lock. It opened a door that delved deeper into, and lead to better understanding, of the trove of techniques found in TCMA. For me it was a missing link.

Good post Spiked.

Thanks! And Kung fu does have boxing but it is not trained like western boxing. Good stuff.

[Jimbo]

My first instructor for striking arts, who taught Kenpo, was very well-versed in both western boxing and wrestling. He particularly liked to incorporate the boxing into our training and free-sparring. Also, many of the upper students had boxing or kickboxing backgrounds. This was back in the '70s, when freely combining eastern and western modalities was not nearly as common or accepted as it became in more recent years.

IMO, it's invaluable for every MAist to have at least some experience with boxing...both training it and sparring with boxers.