Many people take up Muay Thai, MMA and boxing and so on.. to learn self defence. So in the real world does boxing work in a street fight or is it a waste of time?
Firstly. The best thing to do in any street fight is to run if you are able to. Pride may get damaged but you live to fight another day. Street fights often end badly and concrete is usually the terrain in which they are often done. Just landing head first on concrete from a punch is enough to kill you and fights should be avoided wherever possible.
The main difference from boxing to most other martial arts or combat sports is it’s very limited. With boxing being only the left and right hand you will not learn how to defend a kick or how to stop a take-down. So is it all bad news?
Boxers are masters at their rule set. Due to MMA and other fighters having so many other things to learn, boxers are significantly better at striking (punches only)
The most notable example of this was when a prime Conor McGregor met an aged Floyd Mayweather. Floyd was 12 years older than Conor. Floyd is not a big puncher and had not stopped any of his opponents in 6 years.
However Floyd breezed through Conor without coming out of second gear and stopped him. This highlights the levels in skill between boxing and MMA (punching only) That being said – Conor would have toyed with Floyd and stopped him much quicker in the octagon.
So lets break it down
Most street fights start standing – This benefits boxers. ✔
Most street fights start at very close distance – This benefits boxers. ✔
The first attack in a street fight is usually a punch – This benefits boxers. ✔
The list could go on and on but you probably get the point. In almost all street fights the boxer is at an advantage, they have taken punches, they know how to avoid them, they know where to punch and they know how to deliver a knockout blow.
What are the best punches to do in a street fight?
Boxers often fight over 12 rounds and is very often a chess match. Some punches just score points and others to break down and hurt the opponent, so what punches work in a street fight?
The Jab – The jab is the most important punch in boxing, its a range finder and point scorer, you can knock an opponent out of rhythm but it’s unlikely you will score a knockout with one. So is jabbing a good idea for a street fight? It will definitely hurt the opponent but probably wont stop them, it could be effective as a setup for a big right hand but used alone it would not be effective.
The Uppercut – Great in boxing when you are toe to toe and an opponent is covering up but not too practical in a street fight. You wont likely be close enough to land one and there is much better options to take.
So what punches are the best? – Power punches.
The left hook, the overhand right and the right hook are all good options but the straight right is the most simple and often the most effective. These punches stop opponents that are used to being hit even in 10oz gloves so imagine bare knuckle.
What martial arts would beat a boxer in a street fight?
Is boxing the best for a street fight? In 9/10 fights against the average person the answer would be yes. However, what if the opponent is trained in other martial arts, what then?
Jujitsu – Although great in competition real life application isn’t as successful often jujitsu is trained in a way where you are not being hit at the same time. Most often they would be knocked out before they could put a dangerous choke or lock in place.
Judo – Judo is more applicable if you are able to take a punch, you may need to in order to get close and throw the opponent. This is highly dangerous especially on concrete and may end badly for you and the opponent.
Muay Thai is without a doubt a better martial art to know in a street fight than boxing. The application of kicks, knees and elbows gives many many more options and if an opponent kicks at range the boxer stands little chance in winning.
Summary
The average person thinks they can fight but put them in-front of a boxer and they will soon realise that they have no idea at all. Boxers train week in week out sparring and improving technique. Many people watch too many movies and play too many games and think they can do what they see.
So does boxing work in a street fight? The answer has to be yes. In almost all street fights they start standing and usually end as soon as the opponent hits the ground with a vicious knockout. Boxers are used to training in 16 oz gloves and still knock people out. A bare knuckle punch from a boxer is not something you want to experience. As mentioned previously street fights should be avoided at all costs.
If you are interested in training to be a fighter you can view our post How to train to be a fighter – 3 steps
Does boxing work in a street fight?
The answer has to be yes. In almost all street fights they start standing and usually end as soon as the opponent hits the ground with a vicious knockout. Boxers are used to training in 16 oz gloves and still knock people out. A bare knuckle punch from a boxer is not something you want to experience.
What is the best punches to do in a street fight
The left hook, the overhand right and the right hook are all good options but the straight right is the most simple and often the most effective.
Do jabs work in a street fight
It will definitely hurt the opponent but probably wont stop them, it could be effective as a setup for a big right hand but used alone it would not be effective.
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