Boxing vs. Taekwondo

Boxing and taekwondo are two fighting styles that are constantly compared with one another. Practitioners from each fighting style always create hypothetical situations to show why their style is superior.

Taekwondo and boxing also share the similarity of both fighting styles being two of the world’s most globally practiced fighting styles. Both styles are practiced by millions of practitioners in nearly every part of the world, with taekwondo instructor vacancies regularly available due to its widespread popularity.

Boxing vs. Taekwondo: The Histories

Taekwondo and boxing both have rich histories, which are vastly different from one another. Here are the histories of boxing vs. taekwondo

The History of Boxing

Boxing is one of the oldest sports that has ever existed. Nearly every culture has practiced some form of boxing and still practices them to this day.

The modern sport of boxing began being developed between the 1700s and 1800s. Throughout North America and Europe, early boxers took part in brutal bare knuckle boxing matches.

As these boxing matches got more popular, organizers realized that official rules and regulations needed to be established. This modernization led to the Queensberry Rules being established in the late 1800s.

Along with official rules, boxing organizations were formed, which introduced everything from boxing rings, gloves, and official weight classes.

This modernization led to the sport of boxing to explode in popularity. Since the 1900s, tens of thousands of boxing fans have been filling stadiums to see the best boxers fight. 

Today, boxing is practiced by millions and watched by millions more throughout the world.

The History of Taekwondo

Many assume that Taekwondo is one of the oldest martial arts in the world. It is actually less than a century old and was established after WWII when Japan lost its occupation of Korea.

When Japan occupied Korea, they tried to erase the nation’s history and replace it with their own. After WW2, Korea regained control of its country and looked to take its identity back.

Korean martial arts masters who taught their styles in secret during the occupation got together to discuss forming a national martial art.

What they came up with would be known throughout the world as Taekwondo. Two of the most influential martial artists that helped create Taekwondo were Dr. Un Yong Kim and General Choi Hong-Hi.

Dr. Kim founded World Taekwondo, and General Choi was credited with coming up with the name Taekwondo.

Soon after Taekwondo’s development, the first world championship was held in 1973 and became an official Olympic sport in 2000. In this short time, Taekwondo took off rapidly and is now practiced by tens of millions of people worldwide.

Boxing vs. Taekwondo: The Differences

Anyone can see that there are vast differences between boxing vs. taekwondo. Here are four of the biggest differences between boxing and taekwondo.

Striking Techniques 

While both boxing and taekwondo are striking styles, they are different when it comes to the techniques each uses. However, the fighting styles differ when it comes to the type of strikes each teaches within their style.

In boxing, only punches are used, while both punches and kicks are used within taekwondo.

Rules 

Between boxing and taekwondo, they have vastly different rules within their competitions Here’s a breakdown of the rules of each combat sport.

The Rules of Boxing 

• 4-12 rounds depending on the level of pro and if it’s a title fight.
• Round Time: 3 Minutes
• 10-point must scoring system
• Only punches permitted above the beltline and to the front of the body.
• Ways to Win: KO, TKO, Decision, DQ

The Rules of Taekwondo

• 3 rounds
• Round Time: 2 Minutes
• Punches and kicks permitted above the belt line.
• 1-3 points per strike depending on type of strike and cleanliness of the technique.
• Ways to Win: KO, TKO, Points, DQ

Uniforms 

In a boxing match, a boxer is permitted to wear boxing shorts, shoes, and a mouthpiece. Taekwondo athletes wear a gi called a “dobok” along with a helmet, foot pads, helmet, and mouthpiece.

Place of Origin

Taekwondo was developed in Korea, while the origins of boxing date back to ancient Greece. However, modern boxing as it’s practiced today was developed within Europe and the US.

Boxing vs. Taekwondo: The Similarities

While it may seem that boxing and taekwondo have nothing in common, they do have some similarities. Here are two similarities between boxing vs. taekwondo.

Both Fighting Styles Include Punches 

Boxing and taekwondo share the similarity of both fighting styles using punches within their fighting systems. Taekwondo is more known for its use of kicks, but uses many of the same punching techniques used in boxing.

Many taekwondo athletes will even practice boxing to improve their hand strikes for Taekwondo competitions.

Globally Practiced Martial Arts 

Taekwondo and boxing also share the similarity of both fighting styles being two of the world’s most globally practiced fighting styles. Both styles are practiced by millions of practitioners in nearly every part of the world.

Boxing vs. Taekwondo: Who Would Win? 

In a boxing vs. taekwondo bout, the winner would depend on the ruleset of the fight. Of course, a boxing match would favor a boxer and a taekwondo match would favor the taekwondo practitioner.

However, in a hypothetical matchup, the two fighters would have to follow specific gameplans to beat the other. Here are the gameplans for each fighter in a boxing vs. taekwondo matchup.

A Boxer’s Game Plan vs. a Taekwondo Fight 

For a boxer to beat a taekwondo fighter, they will need to close the gap quickly. They can’t allow the taekwondo fighter to create space and get off their powerful kicks.

Then once, the boxer gets the inside position, they will have to keep the fight there and keep punching. A taekwondo fighter cannot win a punching battle with a boxer.

A Taekwondo Fighter’s Game Plan vs. a Boxer

The key for a taekwondo fighter to beat a boxer in a boxing vs. taekwondo match is spacing. A taekwondo fighter must control the distance and stay on the outside.

If the taekwondo fighter stays on the outside, they can get their kicks off and keep the boxer away. Boxer have no defensive answers for kicks and if they constantly get battered by them, the fight will end quickly 

The Wrap Up

Despite the differences between boxing vs. taekwondo, both are effective fighting styles that teach effective techniques. Either fighting style that you choose to learn will be beneficial to improving your self defense skills.