a bad name for martial arts.

[Sohan]

Technically, boxing, like wrestling, is a sport, not a "martial art".

Martial arts are systems created for use in combat situations, ie a street fight or wartime. Boxing arose out of a desire to "civilize" fighting and make it a sport to be bet on and viewed by the public.

I couldn't imagine going into battle with only boxing or wrestling skills at my disposal. They are extremely useful skills, but are incomplete for battle. It would be like Mike Tyson fighting an MMA fighter on the street. He would be lost even at his peak.

Respectfully,

Sohan

I guess that depends on what you mean by battle. I have barfights every night at work. I use only judo and bjj - sport skills. I had a knife pulled on myself and a coworker last night. still used bjj and judo.

Ever thought of a different job?

Tough way to make a buck. Been there, done that. I worked in one of the best clubs in Atlanta in the late 80's. Couldn't pay me enough to go through that again. Might as well paint a big target on my chest. I'm much happier teaching pretty rich women how to do stomach crunches.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[bushido_man96]

Remember that the "martial" aspect of martial arts refers to warfare. In fact, Webster's defines the word martial as "of or suitable for war" (Muay Thai). Also, the term "martial art" is defined as a system of self-defense that originates in the Asiatic region (MT and BJJ). Western boxing doesn't really make either category. But if you want to call it a martial art, it's really no skin off my nose.

But don't misunderstand me. Calling something a sport in no way diminishes its value as a fighting art. It just indicates that in its sport form it is not meant to be applied to war by itself.

I think that this definition is misleading. The medieval Europeans had martial systems as well. The western world has a serious misconception that advanced fighting systems came only from the far east. This is not true. I have been studying western martial history for some time now. In looking in some of the old manuals, one can see many similarities between judo or jujutsu and the "wrestling tricks" that masters-at-arms taught there soldiers.

The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe is a very informative study of these western martial practices. An excellent web site to check out is https://www.thearma.org. Check them out and have your eyes opened.

[elbows_and_knees]

Technically, boxing, like wrestling, is a sport, not a "martial art".

Martial arts are systems created for use in combat situations, ie a street fight or wartime. Boxing arose out of a desire to "civilize" fighting and make it a sport to be bet on and viewed by the public.

I couldn't imagine going into battle with only boxing or wrestling skills at my disposal. They are extremely useful skills, but are incomplete for battle. It would be like Mike Tyson fighting an MMA fighter on the street. He would be lost even at his peak.

Respectfully,

Sohan

I guess that depends on what you mean by battle. I have barfights every night at work. I use only judo and bjj - sport skills. I had a knife pulled on myself and a coworker last night. still used bjj and judo.

Ever thought of a different job?

Tough way to make a buck. Been there, done that. I worked in one of the best clubs in Atlanta in the late 80's. Couldn't pay me enough to go through that again. Might as well paint a big target on my chest. I'm much happier teaching pretty rich women how to do stomach crunches.

Respectfully,

Sohan

yeah, it's definitely a tough job. It always trips me out because patrons see women talking to me and are like "man, you have an easy job - I wish I had it" I just smile and say "no, you don't."

All in all though I like it. I think it takes a certain type of person to be in that line of work though - it's not for everyone. I gotta say though, I make a lot of contacts that I never would've made had I not been working here. It definitely has its benefits. By day, I'm a web developer... go figure.

[elbows_and_knees]

Remember that the "martial" aspect of martial arts refers to warfare. In fact, Webster's defines the word martial as "of or suitable for war" (Muay Thai). Also, the term "martial art" is defined as a system of self-defense that originates in the Asiatic region (MT and BJJ). Western boxing doesn't really make either category. But if you want to call it a martial art, it's really no skin off my nose.

But don't misunderstand me. Calling something a sport in no way diminishes its value as a fighting art. It just indicates that in its sport form it is not meant to be applied to war by itself.

I think that this definition is misleading. The medieval Europeans had martial systems as well. The western world has a serious misconception that advanced fighting systems came only from the far east. This is not true. I have been studying western martial history for some time now. In looking in some of the old manuals, one can see many similarities between judo or jujutsu and the "wrestling tricks" that masters-at-arms taught there soldiers.

The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe is a very informative study of these western martial practices. An excellent web site to check out is https://www.thearma.org. Check them out and have your eyes opened.

yeah, definitely. boxing, wrestling, sword fighting, sword and stick, joint locking resembling jjj, archery, horseback riding, etc. This just isn't what the mainstream envisions when "martial arts" are mentioned. look into espada y daga, for example. Heck, look at kali. Notice the spanish names of many of the techniques? spaniards put their spin on kali when they invaded the philipines.

[bushido_man96]

Remember that the "martial" aspect of martial arts refers to warfare. In fact, Webster's defines the word martial as "of or suitable for war" (Muay Thai). Also, the term "martial art" is defined as a system of self-defense that originates in the Asiatic region (MT and BJJ). Western boxing doesn't really make either category. But if you want to call it a martial art, it's really no skin off my nose.

But don't misunderstand me. Calling something a sport in no way diminishes its value as a fighting art. It just indicates that in its sport form it is not meant to be applied to war by itself.

I think that this definition is misleading. The medieval Europeans had martial systems as well. The western world has a serious misconception that advanced fighting systems came only from the far east. This is not true. I have been studying western martial history for some time now. In looking in some of the old manuals, one can see many similarities between judo or jujutsu and the "wrestling tricks" that masters-at-arms taught there soldiers.

The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe is a very informative study of these western martial practices. An excellent web site to check out is https://www.thearma.org. Check them out and have your eyes opened.

yeah, definitely. boxing, wrestling, sword fighting, sword and stick, joint locking resembling jjj, archery, horseback riding, etc. This just isn't what the mainstream envisions when "martial arts" are mentioned. look into espada y daga, for example. Heck, look at kali. Notice the spanish names of many of the techniques? spaniards put their spin on kali when they invaded the philipines.

Yes, this is true as well. I love to study the history of any and all martial systems, and I think they all deserve their dues.

[jaymac]

Remember that the "martial" aspect of martial arts refers to warfare. In fact, Webster's defines the word martial as "of or suitable for war" (Muay Thai). Also, the term "martial art" is defined as a system of self-defense that originates in the Asiatic region (MT and BJJ). Western boxing doesn't really make either category. But if you want to call it a martial art, it's really no skin off my nose.

But don't misunderstand me. Calling something a sport in no way diminishes its value as a fighting art. It just indicates that in its sport form it is not meant to be applied to war by itself.

I think that this definition is misleading. The medieval Europeans had martial systems as well. The western world has a serious misconception that advanced fighting systems came only from the far east. This is not true. I have been studying western martial history for some time now. In looking in some of the old manuals, one can see many similarities between judo or jujutsu and the "wrestling tricks" that masters-at-arms taught there soldiers.

The Martial Arts of Renaissance Europe is a very informative study of these western martial practices. An excellent web site to check out is https://www.thearma.org. Check them out and have your eyes opened.

yeah, definitely. boxing, wrestling, sword fighting, sword and stick, joint locking resembling jjj, archery, horseback riding, etc. This just isn't what the mainstream envisions when "martial arts" are mentioned. look into espada y daga, for example. Heck, look at kali. Notice the spanish names of many of the techniques? spaniards put their spin on kali when they invaded the philipines.

Yes, this is true as well. I love to study the history of any and all martial systems, and I think they all deserve their dues.

I agree also. Anyone who tries to improve themselves and their character through any type of Martial art or any sport, should be commended. Is it really about which one is better? Who cares. Train hard, be good at what you do, and always strive to be better.

[UseoForce]

Western martial arts are WAY under aprreciated. I encourage everyone to buy Hans Talhoffer's feautbeuk (sp?).

[bushido_man96]

Western martial arts are WAY under aprreciated. I encourage everyone to buy Hans Talhoffer's feautbeuk (sp?).

Own it and read it. Others that are recommended are Master of Defense: The Works of George Silver, The Codex Wallerstein, and Medieval Swordsmanship.

[UseoForce]

good for you!

[Aodhan]

But don't misunderstand me. Calling something a sport in no way diminishes its value as a fighting art. It just indicates that in its sport form it is not meant to be applied to war by itself.

I think that this definition is misleading. The medieval Europeans had martial systems as well. The western world has a serious misconception that advanced fighting systems came only from the far east. This is not true. I have been studying western martial history for some time now. In looking in some of the old manuals, one can see many similarities between judo or jujutsu and the "wrestling tricks" that masters-at-arms taught there soldiers.

Exactly. Look at jousting. In it's "martial" form, it was a way to run down and impale opponents. Then they blunted the lances and turned it into a "sport". Same skillset, different application, no less martial. Every Lord had their own men at arms, and they would often get together to do boxing, wrestling, sword contests, etc. Martial skills, applied in a sport setting.

Aodhan