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FAQ's Q: What are the main differences between Thai and Kickboxing? A: Thai boxing (also known as Muay Thai) and kickboxing are similar but not the same. Muay Thai is one of the native martial arts of Thailand and encompasses much more than the sport that you see today, and dates back some 3000 years. Kickboxing developed from full contact karate competitions, and placed boxing hands with kicks from any styles. The start of kickboxing is a bit hazy, with many different stories of how and where it started, although the popular belief is that it developed in America in the 1970’s and then to its present form today. Q: What are the rules? A: Full Contact kickboxing: Boxing hands combined with kicks above the waist. Competitors wear long trousers. Protective equipment is boxing gloves, feet pads, and gum shields and box. Rounds are fought over 2 minutes Low kick kickboxing: Boxing hands with kicks above and below the waist. Protective equipment is boxing gloves, feet pads (optional), and gum shields and box. Thai Boxing: Boxing hands combined with kicks above and below the waist, knees above and below the waist, and elbows to the body and head, also an element of grappling is allowed. Various rule agreements will dictate whether elbows or knees to the head are allowed. Protective equipment is boxing gloves, and gum shields and box. Fighters classed as novices may where protective shin pads. Q: How are fights scored? A: Fights are scored the same as boxing. If you knock your opponent out, or the referee stops the fight due to your opponent being unable to continue, you win. Otherwise the winner is by judge’s points. Each round is scored 10-10 for a draw, 10-9 in favour of a won round, or 10-8 if the round is one by one fighter taking a count. Judges are looking for work rate, control of the fight, clean shots scored, aggression, damage inflicted etc. Q: How hard are the punches and kicks? A: Punches are exactly the same as in boxing. A super-heavyweight kick or Thai boxer will hit just as hard as a heavyweight boxer. A kick could be up to four times harder. Thai kicks are delivered with the shin with the same force as a swung baseball bat. Q: Don’t knees and elbows to the head cause damage? A: Yes! The point of an elbow and the point of the knee will cause damage to the head if they connect, and for this reason all but the most experienced fighters will not be able to strike the head with elbows and knees. Q: What about the health of the fighters? A: All competitors have a thorough medical before the fight. Paramedics and a doctor are all at ringside. The local hospital has been notified that they will be receiving any injured fighters. The referee always acts in the best interests of the fighters, and will stop a fight early if one fighter is in trouble or injured. Q: Why do some kickboxers wear feet pads? A: Kickboxers score the majority of their kicks by impacting with the instep. The foot has many small bones that will come worse off if they strike a jaw or and elbow, and therefore the pads prevent them damaging their feet. Q: What about the Thai boxers – it hurts to be kicked in the shin! A: Thai boxers condition their shins and use correct technique to block and kick with their shins. Yes, it does hurt, but not as much as taking the impact in the soft tissue of the thigh! Novices, who may not have the conditioning in the shins yet, wear protective shin pads. Q: Why are fights different lengths? A: Kickboxing is fought over 2minute rounds, with novice fights of 3 rounds, prestige fights at 5 rounds, British Titles at 7 rounds, European and Commonwealth and Intercontinental fights at 10 rounds, and World Titles at 12 rounds. Thai boxing is fought over 3 minute rounds at professional level, with three rounds for more novice bouts, all other fights are over 5 rounds. Q: But boxers fight over 3minute rounds? A: A kick is four times as hard as a punch, but also four times more tiring! Therefore, kickboxing is the same number of rounds as boxing, but shorter rounds. Thai boxing is the same duration but reduced number of rounds. Even Nigel Benn, who started as a points kickboxer, praises the fitness of kickboxers. Q: Will it be on TV? A: Yes, Sky Sports 3 will be broadcasting the event, the date and time will be posted here, but is likely to be the end of October, or the start of November. Q: Will I be able to purchase videos of the event? A: Yes, purchase details will be posted on this web site in order for you to purchase your copies. Q: What about equipment? A: Cusley equipment, (Cusley are sponsoring the gloves for the show) will be for sale at the venue on the night. Q: How do I find out about the fight lineup? A: Updated lineups will be posted on this site – please note that due to injuries etc the fight lineup may be liable to change. Keep watching this site for the latest news! Q: How do I find information on the fighters? A: Interviews and fighter information will be posted on this site. Click the links as they are posted on the fight lineup, and the information will be available!
Q: Why aren't there more title fights? A: We are only being sanctioned by WAKO - the largest and best kickboxing and Thai boxing organisation in the World. We only put on title fights that are truly recognised worldwide. Q: What about the sponsors and advertisers? A: Please click on any links through to the advertisers and sponsors – without their input these events would not take place! Anything in blue and underlined is a link, so please click through! Q: How do I start kickboxing or Thai boxing? A: Email us here with your location through admin@kickboxingshow.co.uk, and we’ll do our best to put you in touch with clubs in your area. Alternatively have a look at the club listings, which list some of the good clubs local to the event! |