Boxing vs. Judo
Boxing and judo are another pair of martial arts that are widely different from each other with not much in common. Have you ever wondered how a match between these two styles would go down?
Let’s break it down and go over how a match between boxing vs. judo would probably transpire. Check out all of their differences, few similarities, histories, and their game plans for facing each other below.
Boxing vs. Judo: The Histories
Before we get into the aspects of boxing vs. judo battle, let’s talk a little about their histories. Read the histories of these effective fighting styles below.
The History of Boxing
Modern boxing as we know it is a little over a century old, but humans have been practicing boxing for centuries. The practice of boxing has been traced all the way back to the 2nd millenia in Babylonia.
Boxing was even one of the original Olympic Games when it was introduced in the 23rd Olympiad 688 B.C.
The sport of modern boxing started to develop between the 17th and 18th centuries. Its popularity was growing rapidly, but there weren’t any official rules until 1668.
This was when John Chambers came up with what is known as the Queensberry Rules: the first official rules and regulations for the sport of boxing.
After the rules were established, the modern sport of boxing began to take shape. Everything from rings, rounds, boxing gloves, weight classes, and time limits were introduced.
Boxing quickly became one of the biggest sports in the world with thousands attending big fights. Today, the sport of boxing is practiced by tens of millions worldwide and watched by even more fans.
The History of Judo
The martial art of Judo was created by Jigoro Kano in the late 1800s. Grandmaster Kano was a lifelong martial artist, who practiced various types of Japanese jiu-jutsu styles.
After spending time learning these grappling styles, Kano took what he learned and developed what would be called “judo.” The purpose of judo was to control and throw an opponent using no strength and all technique.
Kano began doing various demonstrations around Japan and his martial art quickly caught on. By the early 1900s, Jigoro had over a thousand students and established the Kodokan Judo school in Tokyo, Japan.
Not only did Kano develop an effective martial art, but the way he spread the martial art was brilliant. He used the same tactics as religions and sent his best students across the world to teach judo.
This tactic proved to be quite successful as the world quickly caught on to judo. The martial art would even inspire the creation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Karate.
By 1964, judo was an official Olympic event with millions of practitioners worldwide. Today, judo is still one of the most practiced martial arts in the world. Every major country in the world has a strong judo presence.
Boxing vs. Judo: The Differences
You would be hard pressed to find two martial arts that are as different as boxing and judo. Here are some of the major differences between boxing vs. judo.
Striking vs. Grappling
Just like we mentioned in our boxing vs. BJJ and boxing vs. wrestling articles, these two are polar opposite fighting styles. Boxing is a striking martial art, while judo is a grappling martial art.
Boxing is strictly done from a standing position and includes 100% hand strikes. Judo on the other hand is 100% grappling, with no strikes included within the martial art’s teachings.
The objective in boxing is to subdue and opponent using strikes, while Judo uses various takedowns, control, and submissions.
1 Plane of Fighting vs. 2
As we just mentioned, boxing is only practiced from a standing position. There are no ground techniques taught within the fighting style.
Judo on the other hand includes techniques from both standing and on the ground. The objective of Judo, of course, being to control an opponent and take them to the mat.
The Uniforms
The uniforms within each martial art are vastly different. In boxing, boxers wear just shorts, boxing shoes, and boxing gloves.
Within judo, participants wear a gi called a “judogi” in both practice and competitions.
The Time Limits
The time limits within boxing and judo competitions are also quite different. In boxing, the rounds are 3 minutes with pro bouts lasting between 4 to 12 rounds, depending on the level of pro.
Adult judo matches have a time limit of 5 minutes, which consists of one round. If the period ends in a tie, the match goes to another round, where the athlete who scores first wins.
The Fight Areas
The fighting area in boxing is of course a boxing ring. In judo, an open mat is used just like in BJJ and karate competitions.
Scoring Systems
Within boxing, each round is scored by a 10 point system. The winner of the round gets a 10, while the loser of the round gets a 9 or lower.
In judo, the first opponent to score an “ippon” meaning clean throw or sweep wins the match. If a judoka scores two “waza-aris” or semi-clean throws, they win the match.
Boxing vs. Judo: The Similarities
While it looks like boxing and judo have next to nothing in common, they do share two similarities. Here are the two main things that boxing and judo have in common.
Boxing and Judo are Olympic Sports
Both boxing and judo have the honor of being official Olympic sports. Boxing became an official Olympic sport in 1904, while judo became an Olympic sport in 1964.
The two combat sports are always among the most watched events at every Olympic games.
Boxing and Judo are Part of MMA
Boxing and judo also share the commonality of being part of the martial art/sport known as mixed martial arts(MMA). There have been numerous fighters with a background in one or both of these styles, who have become MMA world champions.
Boxing vs: Judo: The Fight Game Plans
If there were a situation where a boxing vs. judo match came about, each side would have very strict game plans. Here are the strategies that would have to be implemented in order for each side to win.
The Boxer’s Game Plan
A boxer’s game plan against a judoka would be identical to those if they were facing a wrestler or BJJ grappler. The judoka’s goal will be to grab hold of the boxer and get them on the ground.
Since a boxer has zero grappling ability, this is going to be a tall order, but they always have a puncher’s chance. The boxer’s best best will have to be catching the judoka coming in to grab them.
This is the only chance a boxer has at winning this match.
The Judoka’s Game Plan
A judoka’s game plan will be basically the same as a wrestler or BJJ grappler. They will have to avoid the boxer’s punches, grab hold of them, and get them to the mat.
Every second the fight stays on the feet it gives the boxer a better chance at winning. The judoka will have to immediately take down the boxer in order to win.
The Verdict
The battle between boxing vs. judo has actually been done numerous times throughout history. One of the most famous fights included the legendary “Judo” Gene LeBell.
Judo Gene took on a pro boxer in a mixed rules match in 1963 against boxer Milo Savage. LeBell took Savage down and submitted him. This type of bout has happened multiple times since then with the same result.
Boxing is a great striking art, but it has no answer for grappling of any kind. That is why you must learn both striking and grappling to have more complete self-defense skills.
