My Story

[DokterVet]

I also recently (gradually over the past 2 years) stopped training in traditional karate after 8 full years of training.

Like you, it wasn't suiting my goals, so I took up shootwrestling, which is a better fit for me.

[isshinryuaaron]

Everyone here is so supportive! I must be a really bad person, but I think its a mistake to only box.

Don't get me wrong. I think its great to master punching ability, and I somewhat agree with the earlier post that said that any golden gloves boxer is the equivalent of a 3rd degree black belt in terms of how much respect I have for good boxers.

However, I do think its a mistake to ignore the other two limbs we have. Our leg muscles are stronger than our arm muscles, and kicks can be delivered from a different range than punches, at different angles than punches, etc.

I think that, in order to be a complete fighter, you need to know how to use all of your weapons. Cross said that self-defense was one of the reasons why he started studying traditional karate, and that it just was not cutting it. Perhaps that style was wrong for him, or that particular dojo. And, of course, I hope that what he has learned from his training in traditional karate combined with what he will learn from boxing will be sufficient for him to defend himself in a real life situation should he ever need to do so.

Yes, I know. I'm a bad person. I should be talking about how great it is that Cross figured out that he likes boxing better, and that he wrote a letter to his sensei. However, my guess is that at least some part of Cross posted the message because deep down he knows that it is mistake to completely stop training in martial arts and only do boxing. To that part of Cross (if I am right), I hope you keep doing boxing but I also hope that you start training in the martial arts again (be it another style, or another dojo) sometime soon. If I am wrong, I apologize. Either way, I wish you all the best.

[cross]

Thank you everyone for your replies, i will address some comments and hopefully shed a little more light on the situation.

What were you not happy with with traditional karate?

To me it was the whole training 'format' i guess.

Like i said, i want to train to stay fit and be able to defend myself. In karate training we did the basics, kata, sparring, bagwork on a very rare occasion, some partner work.

Most of the class time was spent working on technique, which i dont have a problem with because good technique is important, but i think there is a point where you need to move on and practice the technique in application.

There just wasnt enough of this in the class. I learned around 10-15 kata, none of which i have been shown the applications for, i learned the japanese names for all the techniques. etc etc... none of which helps me in achieving either of my goals.

All of the above are nice things to do, and suit some people, because not everyone has the same goals or needs from their training. But for me personally i dont want to spend my time doing that kind of thing, when i could be training in other ways to achieve my goals.

I guess it comes down to me wanting to train more like an athlete and less like an "artist".

[Jiffy]

Just wanted to say, well done for writing to your instructor! AS you would know, people come and go in Martial Arts, but very few have the courtesy to say goodbye or explain their resons for moving on. For me as an instructor, this is crucially important, it gives us an idea on how we are going.

[cross]

However, my guess is that at least some part of Cross posted the message because deep down he knows that it is mistake to completely stop training in martial arts and only do boxing.

That is not the case. But i do agree that being well rounded is important. However, for me, the only time i would use my techniques are in a situation where i need to defend myself. In this case i dont place a high importance on kicks.

Edited April 15, 2006 by cross

[jaymac]

Again, I say good for you and congratulations. If you can not give Karate 100% of your devotion, than give it to where you want to achieve your goals.

[Jeet Kune Do]

Its easier to get to the top in doing something that you like the best

[Brandon Fisher]

The application must be taught or it is just movement.

[elbows_and_knees]

Everyone here is so supportive! I must be a really bad person, but I think its a mistake to only box.

Don't get me wrong. I think its great to master punching ability, and I somewhat agree with the earlier post that said that any golden gloves boxer is the equivalent of a 3rd degree black belt in terms of how much respect I have for good boxers.

However, I do think its a mistake to ignore the other two limbs we have. Our leg muscles are stronger than our arm muscles, and kicks can be delivered from a different range than punches, at different angles than punches, etc.

I think that, in order to be a complete fighter, you need to know how to use all of your weapons. Cross said that self-defense was one of the reasons why he started studying traditional karate, and that it just was not cutting it. Perhaps that style was wrong for him, or that particular dojo. And, of course, I hope that what he has learned from his training in traditional karate combined with what he will learn from boxing will be sufficient for him to defend himself in a real life situation should he ever need to do so.

Yes, I know. I'm a bad person. I should be talking about how great it is that Cross figured out that he likes boxing better, and that he wrote a letter to his sensei. However, my guess is that at least some part of Cross posted the message because deep down he knows that it is mistake to completely stop training in martial arts and only do boxing. To that part of Cross (if I am right), I hope you keep doing boxing but I also hope that you start training in the martial arts again (be it another style, or another dojo) sometime soon. If I am wrong, I apologize. Either way, I wish you all the best.

In the grand scheme of self defense, kicking really isn't necessary. can be helpful, but is not necessary. For the ring, it's a necessary skill, as leg kicks help to wear an opponent down, and a swift head kick can do major damage, but in a street fight you don't worry about wearing your opponent's legs down, and it's dangerous to kick above waist height for obvious reasons. IMO, punching, elbows_and_knees and some clinch knowledge server him better. Three of those things, he will learn in boxing.

[bushido_man96]

Good luck in the future. Maybe later on you will decide to compete. I have always respected boxers and their abilities, and wished I was in a position to learn from a trainer myself.

My father always told me that he personally felt that a golden gloves boxer was probably just about as good as any 3rd degree black belt out there, no matter what the art was. And him and I both are TKD guys.

you're in kansas... that's like the amateur boxing capital of the USA. you can't find a boxing gym?

I am in central Kansas. I live in a city of about 18,000. We have two martial arts schools, and we used to have a guy who trained boxers, but as far as I know he only did it at his home, and haven't heard that he does it anymore.