Kickboxing vs. Boxing — What's the Difference?
By Urooj Arif & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 8, 2024
Kickboxing involves both punches and kicks, while boxing focuses solely on punches. They are distinguished by the use of legs in kickboxing, which adds a diverse set of strikes compared to boxing.
Difference Between Kickboxing and Boxing
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Kickboxing involves using both punches and kicks, allowing fighters to attack with their hands and feet. Boxing, on the other hand, restricts strikes to punches only, emphasizing upper body movement and hand speed.
Kickboxing permits fighters to target various areas of an opponent's body using their legs, offering a wider range of offensive techniques. In contrast, boxing limits attacks to above the waist, with a focus on scoring points through precise punches.
Kickboxing incorporates defensive maneuvers like blocking and evading kicks. Boxing, however, requires different defensive skills, such as head movement and clinching, to avoid punches.
Kickboxing competitions often feature varied fighting styles from around the world, like Muay Thai. Boxing matches, meanwhile, adhere to standardized rules governed by organizations like the World Boxing Association.
In training, kickboxing routines include drills that develop flexibility and leg strength for kicking. Boxing workouts focus more on hand speed, agility, and coordination to maximize punching power.
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Comparison Chart
Strikes
Punches and kicks
Punches only
Target Areas
Full body with some restrictions
Upper body (above the belt) only
Defense
Blocking, evading, and catching kicks
Ducking, blocking, clinching
Training Focus
Leg strength, flexibility, punching
Hand speed, head movement, footwork
Rules/Regulations
Varied rules including Muay Thai-style clinching
Standardized rules by boxing organizations
Compare with Definitions
Kickboxing
A sport derived from traditional martial arts but practiced competitively.
The kickboxing tournament featured athletes from multiple countries.
Boxing
A sport involving two competitors who try to score points by landing punches.
He became interested in boxing after watching a famous match.
Kickboxing
A martial art that combines elements of karate and boxing using kicks and punches.
In kickboxing, she used a roundhouse kick to surprise her opponent.
Boxing
An athletic activity known for its emphasis on speed and precision.
She worked on her boxing technique to increase her hand speed.
Kickboxing
An intense sport emphasizing speed, power, and versatility.
Kickboxing demands agility and strength in both the upper and lower body.
Boxing
A martial art focused on hand strikes for both offense and defense.
Boxing requires learning how to effectively counter an opponent’s punches.
Kickboxing
A fighting style characterized by both aggressive and defensive tactics.
He trained in kickboxing to improve his stamina and reflexes.
Boxing
A combat sport governed by standardized rules and regulations.
Boxing matches are overseen by referees to ensure safety.
Kickboxing
A form of aerobic exercise that incorporates martial arts techniques.
Her gym offers kickboxing classes to help people stay fit.
Boxing
A competitive sport practiced professionally or recreationally.
He took up boxing as a way to improve his fitness and focus.
Kickboxing
Kickboxing is a group of stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate mixed with boxing. Kickboxing is practiced for self-defence, general fitness, or as a contact sport.Japanese kickboxing originated in the late 1950s, with competitions held since then.
Boxing
Boxing is a combat sport in which two people, usually wearing protective gloves and other protective equipment such as hand wraps and mouthguards, throw punches at each other for a predetermined amount of time in a boxing ring. Amateur boxing is both an Olympic and Commonwealth Games sport and is a standard fixture in most international games—it also has its own World Championships.
Kickboxing
A martial art in which competitors wear boxing gloves and throw punches as in boxing and kick with their bare feet as in karate.
Boxing
A container typically constructed with four sides perpendicular to the base and often having a lid or cover.
Kickboxing
(martial arts) A hybrid martial art derived from Muay Thai, karate and especially boxing during the 1960s to 1970s; more generally, any stand-up combat sport that combines kicks and punches.
The Japanese kickboxing gym, recently opened in the Thai capital, had been a great success (Black Belt Magazine, March 1973, p. 13)
Boxing
The amount or quantity that such a container can hold.
Boxing
A square or rectangle
Draw a box around your answer.
Boxing
A separated compartment in a public place of entertainment, such as a theater or stadium, for the accommodation of a small group.
Boxing
An area of a public place, such as a courtroom or stadium, marked off and restricted for use by persons performing a specific function
A jury box.
Boxing
A small structure serving as a shelter
A sentry box.
Boxing
Chiefly British A small country house used as a sporting lodge
A shooting box.
Boxing
A box stall.
Boxing
The raised seat for the driver of a coach or carriage.
Boxing
An area on a diamond marked by lines designating where the batter may stand.
Boxing
Any of various designated areas for other team members, such as the pitcher, catcher, and coaches.
Boxing
A penalty box.
Boxing
The penalty area on a soccer field.
Boxing
(Printing) Featured printed matter enclosed by hairlines, a border, or white space and placed within or between text columns.
Boxing
A hollow made in the side of a tree for the collection of sap.
Boxing
A post office box.
Boxing
An inbox.
Boxing
An outbox.
Boxing
An insulating, enclosing, or protective casing or part in a machine.
Boxing
A signaling device enclosed in a casing
An alarm box.
Boxing
A cable box.
Boxing
(Informal) A television.
Boxing
A very large portable radio.
Boxing
Chiefly British A gift or gratuity, especially one given at Christmas.
Boxing
An awkward or perplexing situation; a predicament.
Boxing
Vulgar Slang The vulva and the vagina.
Boxing
Material used for boxes.
Boxing
A boxlike covering or enclosure.
Boxing
The act of enclosing in a box.
Boxing
The act, activity, or sport of fighting with the fists, especially according to rules requiring the use of boxing gloves and limiting legal blows to those striking above the waist and on the front or sides of the opponent.
Boxing
A slap or blow with the hand or fist
A box on the ear.
Boxing
To pack in a box.
Boxing
To confine in or as if in a box.
Boxing
To border or enclose with or as if with a box
Key sections of the report are boxed off.
Boxing
To provide a housing or case for (a machine part, for example).
Boxing
To limit the activity or influence of by or as if by creating a restrictive structure or outlining a territory
The legislature was boxed in by its earlier decisions.
Boxing
(Sports) To block (a competitor or opponent) from advancing, especially to hinder an opponent from getting a rebound in basketball by placing oneself between the opponent and the basket
Was boxed out by the tallest player on the team.
Was boxed in on the homestretch.
Boxing
(Nautical) To boxhaul.
Boxing
To cut a hole in (a tree) for the collection of sap.
Boxing
To blend (paint) by pouring alternately between two containers.
Boxing
To change the shape of (a structure, such as a wall) by applying lath and plaster or boarding.
Boxing
To hit with the hand or fist.
Boxing
(Sports) To take part in a boxing match with.
Boxing
To fight with the fists or in a boxing match.
Boxing
Present participle of box
Boxing
Present participle of box
Boxing
(sports) A sport where two opponents punch each other with gloved fists to head and torso; the object being to score more points by the end of the match or by knockout, or technical knockout.
Boxing
Material used for making boxes or casing.
Boxing
(construction) Casing.
Boxing
(object-oriented programming) Automatic conversion of value types to objects by wrapping them within a heap-allocated reference type.
Boxing
The act of inclosing (anything) in a box, as for storage or transportation.
Boxing
Material used in making boxes or casings.
Boxing
Any boxlike inclosure or recess; a casing.
Boxing
The external case of thin material used to bring any member to a required form.
Boxing
The act of fighting with the fist; a combat with the fist; sparring; pugilism.
Boxing
Fighting with the fists
Boxing
The enclosure of something in a package or box
Common Curiosities
Can kickboxers use elbows or knees like in Muay Thai?
Yes, certain styles like Muay Thai allow the use of elbows and knees, unlike traditional kickboxing.
Which sport has a broader range of strikes, kickboxing or boxing?
Kickboxing has a broader range since it includes both punches and kicks.
Do both sports require different types of fitness?
Yes, kickboxing requires greater leg flexibility, while boxing emphasizes upper body conditioning.
Is the stance similar in both sports?
Not quite; kickboxing stances vary for kicking purposes, while boxing stances focus on punching.
Is defensive movement different between the two sports?
Yes, boxing relies more on head movement, while kickboxing involves evading or blocking kicks.
Does boxing permit any kind of kick?
No, boxing prohibits kicks, focusing exclusively on punches.
Are kicks the only difference between the two sports?
No, the difference extends to defensive tactics, scoring systems, and training methods.
Do the sports share similar competition rules?
They differ significantly due to the nature of striking and acceptable target areas.
Can kickboxers fight in boxing matches?
Yes, but they must adhere to boxing rules and techniques.
Can a kickboxer easily transition to boxing?
They can, but they must adjust their training to focus solely on punches.
Is sparring essential in both sports?
Yes, sparring is key for practical application of techniques in both boxing and kickboxing.
Which sport involves more footwork?
Boxing generally involves more footwork, though kickboxing requires mobility for kicks.
Is conditioning important in both sports?
Absolutely, conditioning is crucial for endurance, speed, and strength in both sports.
Do boxing and kickboxing require different training equipment?
Yes, boxing uses more specialized hand protection, while kickboxing may incorporate shin guards.
Which sport has more global popularity?
Boxing remains globally recognized, though kickboxing is gaining popularity.
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Written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
