Muay Thai Vs Boxing – What Is Your Right Style?

You are planning to learn a fighting style strictly but getting perplexed between Muay Thai vs boxing? To avert spending a waste of money and time on what does not match your needs, read this paper through the end. We believe you will know which one suits you better! Let’s start!

Muay Thai Vs Boxing – Which Style Is More Effective? 

According to sport experts, the differences between Muay Thai and Boxing outweigh similarities. A Muay Thai player can employ some principles from boxing during a fight. However, he cannot be a boxer in a Muay Thai match; and the same goes for boxers if they want to use Muay Thai techniques in their fights because they are two disparate martial arts that display explicit pros and cons. 

The separation and the range kept from opponents are two great advantages given by Muay Thai. A Muay Thai fighter will assert his dominance in the front kick, making his opponent – a boxer unable to move closer. However, Muay Thai players seem not dangerous when using their hands to release punches towards their adversaries. Because an authentic Muay Thai punch does not count for points at all, which is completely different from boxing. If you are a fan of Muay Thai, you can notice that clinch fighting would help Muay Thai fighters resist and surprisingly win the match. The reason is a boxer with years of training cannot easily replicate that “clinch” style.

As opposed to Muay Thai, Boxing advantageously equips a fighter with sturdy footwork and flexible self-defense. If a boxer confronted a Muay Thai fighter, he could responsively evade getting hit by a series of punches thrown at him in succession. However, there is one main problem that a boxer concentrates on striking with hands. Meanwhile, Muay Thai focuses on honing techniques involving knees, elbows, feet, and hands. However, we can understand that boxing players have extra time to stiffen footwork and reformulate defense. 

The Differences Between Muay Thai And Boxing 

Self Defense

You can not evaluate boxing as better than Muay Thai or vice versa. However, between Boxing and Muay Thai, people commonly consider boxing a go-to choice for self-defense. The reason is that players will get a great advantage on defensive competence in most situations due to the focus on movement and timing.  

While boxing provides a quick solution, Muay Thai teaches fighters the way to read how their adversaries kick abruptly and expertly. Besides, a Thai fighter does not have to worry if he bumps into an unexpected fight because this martial art will train him to ground his opponent from a distance. And we call that technique “clinch.”

Difficulty Level

Overall, boxing is much quicker and easier to learn as you only concentrate on your hands. Boxing players will utilize footwork and engage in cardiovascular practice for fast movements to defend themselves from punches thrown at during the match. 

In contrast, Muay Thai fighters have to trigger different parts of their limbs, and according to the theories, you will focus on eight limbs rather than four. Consequently, Muay Thai takes you a long time to learn and practice proficiently. 

Moreover, learning to strike and defend yourself against your opponents’ attacks generally shares an equal importance. Therefore, Muay Thai usually comes with a more well-prepared strategy and exhibits a deeper composure of mind to bring down the adversary. That’s the reason why a fighter can not master the clinching style taught in Muay Thai within several months. 

Overall, you can be skilled at boxing with a six-month training course. But to perform the basics of Muay Thai techniques proficiently, you may have to spend one year; and at least two years to become an expert.

Which Art is Better For Fitness?

Boxing and Muay Thai are both great for cardiovascular strength and fitness. However, there are many sloppy coaches not stressing the priority of fitness in fighting. Meanwhile, professional matches display differently when all fighters dignify their body conditioning and strength. Thus, they can show the opponents how hard they have trained and prepared for the match. 

Bear in mind that if you tend to concentrate on conditioning and fitness instead of technique and skill, you can not fight properly to defend yourself. You may run into many kickboxing classes for cardio to lose weight as well as condition your heart and body. However, those classes are not useful for real-life situations because they do not teach you basic self-defense techniques, not to mention becoming an expert or a master.

Muay Thai And Boxing – A Fight Between Professionals

Supposing you are watching a fight between a Muay Thai player and a boxer who have prepared tactics and weapons for the match. 

The Thai fighter will probably employ a low kick first and then ground his opponent with the clinch. After clinching, the Muay Thai fighter beats his boxer to end the game and win the victory.  

On the contrary, most boxing fighters will stay long, which means that they usually become useless in the short match that requires players to be quick and flexible. Meanwhile, longer-lasting games will exhibit boxers’ durability and strength. As a result, the short match just ended in triumph for the Thai fighter.

Generally speaking, Thai fighters will easily take the championship belt in lightweight games. In comparison, boxers get a greater advantage during heavyweight matches because their punches are much more powerful and dangerous. 

Which Style Should You Train?

As mentioned from the outset, Muay Thai and Boxing are different martial arts, so it is unnecessary to answer the question of which martial art you should train. Rather, we think it is more about individual preferences. You should consider which fighting style is more appealing and suitable for your body conditions, thereby following the sport. If you prefer adding kicks, elbows, and knees instead of focusing solely on punching, then go for Muay Thai and vice versa. 

In Thai matches, you will notice the absence of evasive footwork that eliminates your chances of striking blows or self-defense. Meanwhile, you can take advantage of punches at the boxing match, then move around the ring to dodge the opponent’s attacks. Therefore, choosing a fighting style depends on your liking and what parts you want to concentrate on.

Each style displays different strengths and weaknesses. You may find Muay Thai hard to learn; however, nothing matters to you at all until you master the Thai techniques. Boxing is easier and quicker for you to hone the skills, but you almost can not do anything during the short match game if you play like a boxer. 

In a nutshell, neither of these fighting styles is better, so your personal preference will decide which one is the best. As the preferred option will match and satisfy your specific needs and demands. Generally speaking, you are the one who knows which style is reasonable to condition and train based on the state of your body.

Read more: Which martial art should i learn first?

Final Thoughts 

Between Muay Thai vs Boxing, have you made your choice after reading our paper? 

Two styles both require you to nurture passion and comply with a so-called consistency thing so that you can go and follow in the long run. Consider thoroughly before pursuing something. No one can decide for you but you. So be smart and decisive when choosing any sports.

Drop a comment in your box below. Or, if you have any experience with at least one fighting style, share it with everyone. We thank you for your support.