Why boxing is such a simple and effective form of hand fighting
When I started university in 1979, I'd been brought up on a staple diet of Bruce Lee movies and thought that Boxing was 'old news' and that Karate and Kung Fu had 'all the answers'. However, having since witnessed more street fights than we can remember, my brother Gary and I now believe that when it comes to doing battle with your hands, Boxing is easy to learn and highly effective.
Nine times out of ten most people are at close quarters before things flair up and often too close to throw a kick, unless of course they are either very highly skilled or initiate the attack before the other gets too close. But when you're standing toe to toe arguing, it's usually the one with the fastest and most effective hands that has the advantage.
Also note; the two points above haven't been lost on exponents of another very practical self defence system developed by the French, which is called Savate and taught to the French Army as part of their basic training. Note the following quote from the Budo Info Gallery.
"In 17th century France, two specific forms of street fighting evolved. Chausson Marseillais, as one style was named, depended almost exclusively on the power of kicking. The other style was called Savate, and it involved using a combination of open handed hits and low kicks. In 1845, Charles Lecour developed the first rules of modern Savate. After spending many years studying these two different styles of street fighting, Lecour created Savate-Boxe Française. He welded the powerful high kick of the Chausson Marseillais with the low kicks of Savate and added the strength of the closed-fisted punches found in English boxing".
Likewise; For those who still doubt the benefits of a Boxing foundation it may also be worth noting the following quote, again from the Budo Info Gallery, in relation to Imi Lichtenfeld who founded Krav Maga, which is a very highly regarded form of self defence that he originally developed for the Israeli Defence Force's Elite Units after years of practical experience.
"Imi Lichtenfeld, the founder and grandmaster of Krav Maga. Inspired and encouraged by his impressive father, Imi engaged in a variety of sports, concentrating finally on gymnastics, boxing and wrestling..."
Copyright © 2007 Phillip Hogan (c/o. Hogan Leisure, 2nd Flr, 127 Charlotte St, Brisbane, Qld 4000 Australia).