Boxing vs. Kung Fu
Martial arts enthusiasts love pitting one fighting style against another. It is the well-known style versus style match-up. We have already compared different forms of martial arts. How about boxing vs kung fu?
This match-up is super interesting as one signifies traditional martial arts, while the other is undoubtedly the more competitive and practical style. Some would debate that it is not the martial arts style that matters but the individual practicing it does.
That makes sense and is perhaps the best explanation for any combat art comparison. However, the styles got to matter, right? It has to play a role in identifying which martial arts is more efficient in actual combat scenarios.
Table of Contents
What Is Boxing?
Definition of boxing is a combat sport that is often held in a ring, where two fighters wear boxing gloves and try to hit each other with fists only.
There are different ways to win this sport. One is through a knockout—when a fighter is knocked to the ground and can’t get back up within then seconds. The other is through a technical knockout: when a fighter can’t continue fighting.
What Is Kung Fu?
On the other hand, kung fu integrates Chinese martial art forms. It reflects traditional martial art forms that are composed of different other martial art forms. Their origins were traced back to the Zhou dynasty period.
What Is The Difference Between Boxing And Kung Fu?
Kung fu is more focused on form-end representation. It has much to do with the person’s state of mind and spirituality. You learn execution, focus, and discipline more than you learn real combat. Further, you meditate more and try to find peace of mind and body.
Thus, if you wish to experience a taste of real traditional martial arts, then there’s nothing better for you to pick than kung fu.
On the other hand, in boxing, a boxer uses punches and blocks to power through the head and upper body of their opponent. A boxer focuses more on footwork, punching, and a heavier emphasis on head movement. Thus, most boxers are quicker at throwing punches and giving lightning-fast hooks or jabs than most kickboxers are.
Boxing Vs. Kung Fu: Which Is Better For Self-defense?
The debate between boxing and kung fu has raged for centuries, with both sides claiming that their art is the superior form of self-defense. In truth, both styles have their pros and cons, and the best one for you will depend on your individual needs and preferences.
Boxing is a great way to develop speed, power, and timing, as well as learn how to fight in close quarters. However, it lacks the joint locks and throws that are essential for taking down an opponent in a real-world situation.
Kung fu, on the other hand, teaches practitioners how to use their entire body as a weapon, giving them a wider range of options when faced with an attacker.
It also emphasizes the importance of using an opponent’s momentum against them, which can be very effective in a real-world situation. Bottom line: we would choose Kung Fu for self-defense purposes.
Which Is Better For Cardio?
There’s no doubt that boxing is good for cardio, as boxing is considered a high-impact cardio workout, which provides a substantial calorie burn.
Cardio boxing workouts will help you burn more calories than any other type of cardiovascular exercise. Further, a normal boxing session could help you burn at least 1,000 calories.
Meanwhile, kung fu is also a good high-intensity martial art, offering you a strong cardiovascular and aerobic workout. This form of martial art involves punching and kicking moves, jumps, somersaults, and evading the opponent. Kung fu also helps strengthen your cardiovascular health.
Bottom line: both are great options.
Can Kung Fu Beat Boxing?
If combat training isn’t methodical, the profound tactics of kung fu become a liability than an asset. If training is superficial, simple kicks, punches, and blocks are simple to apply. Thus, it’s more effective than more profound tactics that demand more skills.
Most kung fu exponents mistakenly believe that kung fu techniques are flowery and stances are cumbersome for combat, as they are not able to apply kung fu techniques efficiently. Many good kung fu techniques a kung fu exponent can employ against a boxer.
However, he shouldn’t merely employ the techniques. He should have the essential skills to do so. If he learns combat principles and uses them, his possibility of defeating a boxer is enhanced.
Which Is Easier To Learn?
Learning kung fu is very challenging. That’s why it takes several years for one to master and perfect traditional kung fu. However, you will certainly feel the difference.
It comes down to muscle memory, and you understand. If you depend on memory alone, it will just become mechanical movement without a clear purpose whatsoever.
Boxing, meanwhile, is simple to pick up but difficult to master. Learning how to punch the box is not only about getting all the movements down. Nonetheless, it’s about understanding what goes behind every moment that will make a difference.
Equipment Differences
There are a variety of Kung Fu equipment and training tools you need to enhance your kung fu techniques and skills. Some of these tools are striking dummies and blossom poles, together with weapons like elastic ropes, sticks, nunchaku, and throwing weapons.
On the other hand, training for boxing needs you to use boxing gloves, a punching bag, and boxing hand wraps as it is also advisable to wear boxing shoes and boxing shorts to simulate a fight in the ring, in case you are preparing for a boxing tournament.
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