My Story

[cross]

Couple of gyms in Kansas listed on this site:

http://www.boxinghelp.com/kansas.html

[Sohan]

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.

I believe that kicks in a street fight can be more than just helpful. I think they are essential to a well-balanced street defense artist.

I have perhaps unwisely experienced several street fights as a younger, brash kid and found my feet quite useful. In fact in 1988 I disarmed a knife-wielding mugger in NYC with a swift side kick to his knee. I also faced a fellow who turned out to be a much better striker than I was but was able to distract him sufficiently with my kicks to his knees and thighs to where I got a nice right cross that sent him down. I have also disabled a 300 lb bouncer with a pleasant Thai-style roundhouse to his thigh. I am not proud of these battles, but they were situations where I was given no choice.

Besides, kicks help maintain distance if you're balanced and don't waste them. I've seen too many ring fighters throw kicks that are unbalanced and sloppy. But I must agree with you that kicking above the waist is not adviseable unless you're REALLY good.

8 weapons. I use them all.

Respectfully,

Sohan

[Menjo]

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.

I strongly disagree here. Thats like if someone said fists are not really nessacery, thats pretty much saying that their is only one correct view in martial strategy and kicking arts have the wrong idea.

Its like saying everyone only needs their feet to win a fight, and no matter the style, feet are the most important. I think all Martial art philosphies should be considered. This is only a one sided view, and I agree that it is dangerous to kick above the waist in a streetfight,however if kicking is someones main strength, then why only use fists...because most statistics say this and that? No thanks, If I could kick really well( I cant but thats besides the point), I might be more comfortable using a front thrust kick to end it.

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.

Footwork is a vital part of training, boxing doesnt ignore those two limbs, it just uses them for footwork. A strong leg which can get into the target area is something I would consider a powerful self weapon.

[cross]

Its like saying everyone only needs their feet to win a fight, and no matter the style, feet are the most important.

Its not really like say that at all, there are numerous reasons why the hands are more effective than feet when it comes to self defence situations(which is all im concerned with).

Im not saying kicks should be ignored completely, but im trying to train more efficiently to acheive my goals which means focusing on the most benificial techniques for self defence, in my opinion boxing offers this.

[Menjo]

Its like saying everyone only needs their feet to win a fight, and no matter the style, feet are the most important.

Its not really like say that at all, there are numerous reasons why the hands are more effective than feet when it comes to self defence situations(which is all im concerned with).

Im not saying kicks should be ignored completely, but im trying to train more efficiently to acheive my goals which means focusing on the most benificial techniques for self defence, in my opinion boxing offers this.

I just want to get the point across that one style of fighting isnt the right way or more effective way of fighting. Saying that hands are more effective all the time, does suggest that one is saying that one style is better than the rest.

I'm not actually taking any sides on this at all. Just trying to get an idea across. I prefer hands myself, but does that make me somehow more credable than others who use feet? I doubt it.

But yea, I thinks its great you've taken up boxing and found a Martial art for you, thats whats really important. Good luck with it

[cross]

I just want to get the point across that one style of fighting isnt the right way or more effective way of fighting. Saying that hands are more effective all the time, does suggest that one is saying that one style is better than the rest.

I understand the point you are making, but if we are talking realistically some styles are simply more benificial than others when it comes to self defence and specific techniques.

But yea, I thinks its great you've taken up boxing and found a Martial art for you, thats whats really important. Good luck with it

Thank you.

[ShoreiSmurf]

You fight the way you train, period. Some people are more effective with their hands, some their feet, some their trapping, and some their grappling. Me, I prefer to use all "four zones" of fighting. Others may not. I say, use what you think is best for you. It was once said to me that there is no "one" true style of ultimate fighting, it is the artist that makes the style great Bruce Lee would be Bruce Lee no matter if he started in TKD, Tang Soo Do, Aikido, Jujitsu, Karate-do, Gung Fu, or whatever. The end result is JKD. This applies to Royce Gracie, Chuck Norris, Ed Parker, Adriano Emperado, Robert Trias, and every last single one of us on this forum. It is us that make the art, not the art making us.

So I say: Good going and Good luck to cross, and may you be blessed in whatever you do.

PS: it was a classy thing to write the letter and quit the way you did. As an instructor myself, I had a few students that just stop coming out of the blue without ever telling me why.

[cross]

Hey everyone, just thought i would keep you updated.

Ive increased my training in boxing to 2 days a week at the gym, plus the other training i do at home. Ive recently bought a floor to ceiling ball and am enjoying working with that.

Edited May 23, 2006 by cross

[bushido_man96]

Hey everyone, just thought i would keep you updated.

Ive increased my training in boxing to 2 days a week at the gym, plus the other training i do at home. Ive also realised that to give myself the best chance at achieving my goal i need to fill in some of the "gaps" that boxing has.

So to round out my training i found an instructor who teaches kickboxing and bjj, so im in the process of organising some time to train with him and focus specifically on the things that boxing doesnt address.

That's good news. sounds like you could be on your way to a mixed MA career if you are not careful

[cross]

That's good news. sounds like you could be on your way to a mixed MA career if you are not careful

Haha, Competition doesnt interest me, but i like to be well rounded.