Parallels between boxing and karate punches

[DokterVet]

Lately I have noticed that in holding a high, boxing-like guard, and throwing a karate punch without retracting all the way to the hip (just dropping the fist a little first, then using regular karate hip and extension), it looks a lot like a boxing punch.

 

I realized that like most karate techniques, the full technique is not neccessary all the time, and that I can throw these boxing style punches quite well because they are simply less exagerated karate punches. I think these would be very practical against someone who is trying to hit my face because I never have to bring myguard too far away from it.

 

Is there anyone who knows boxing and karate bunching technique that can describe the similarities and differences between the two punches (just straight punches)? I have a feeling the boxing punch allows the elbow to swing out slightly from watching guys like Tito Ortiz, whereas the karate punch keeps the elbow in.

 

But I don't know very much about boxing technique.

[kajukenbo dad]

I think you are on the right track....on the street both work great if you get them off first...lol

[AndrewGreen]

No, they are different.

 

Both a cross and a reverse punch involve punching straight forward, but that is where the similarity ends.

 

Weight, posture, power, angle, etc. All different.

[1ONEfighting]

The Karate punch is generally mostly arm, whereas the boxing punch incorporates full body weight.

[RAZOR]

Boxing punches keep the shoulder up and power comes from the shoulder as well as hips and body.

 

Shoulder is kept up as a last resort defence and protection against an unseen hook.

[ramymensa]

The Karate punch is generally mostly arm, whereas the boxing punch incorporates full body weight.

 

I don't know what karate punch you are talking about, but in Shotokan we use more than just the arm. Have you heard about hip rotation? We are taught to put into the punch everything thus delivering a serious hit.

[RAZOR]

Yes i did Karate for a while too and the hip rotation is %100 there.

 

I do Muay Thai now and a major difference is the shoulder thing as i said before and that the non punching hand stays in a guard position in front of the face.

 

Karate pulls the other hand back to increse rang and get a bit more penetration.

[ninjanurse]

Boxing can serve as a great teaching tool. It is a good way to delevlop the timing, speed, and hip rotation that sometimes escapes a new student when trying to learn to punch while moving forward in a front stance,etc. We encorporated it into the curriculum very early on...and continue to develop these skills throughout the belt levels.

 

[1ONEfighting]

Karate does use Hip Rotation Momentive Power (HRMP) but not to its full potential.

 

I blame it on the forms. Being forced to keep your torso squared and rigid as you throw said punch starts a lot of bad habits.

 

You can't deny the difference in a boxer's punch and a Karatekas.

[G95champ]

oddly I agree with Mr. Green LOL.

 

The Cross and Reverse Punch cover the same ground the idea behind each is differant. That not to say the don't serve the same purpose because they do.

 

The reverse punch is typically thought of as a KO punch and usually the last move in a normal karate combo.

 

The cross is a set up punch in boxing for the hook or uppercut.