When you think of martial arts, you might picture sports like kickboxing or karate, but boxing often doesn’t come to mind.

Why is that? Well, boxing part of martial arts, which broadly refers to systems used for combat, fighting, and self-defense.

Let’s explore why boxing is classified as a martial art, even if it isn’t commonly viewed that way.

What is a Martial Art?

Martial arts are systems of combat that are practiced for self-defense. The term became popular in the 1960s and 70s, thanks in part to famous figures like Bruce Lee.

Because of this history, many associate martial arts with karate and other kicking techniques rather than boxing, which focuses on punches.

Some people don’t consider boxing a martial art because it only involves punches, setting it apart from other disciplines like judo or wrestling.

The word “martial” means fighting or war, so “martial arts” essentially means “fighting arts” or “war arts.” This definition includes boxing and any form of combat.

In short, boxing is a martial art, but it is not your typical martial art.

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Boxing

Boxing is not commonly labeled a martial art like karate or Muay Thai, mainly because of its distinct rules and practices—especially the lack of kicks.

Boxing is unique among martial arts in that it does not allow kicks. Most martial arts incorporate kicks, except for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, wrestling, and judo, which are not as standalone as boxing due to their grappling components.

Sports involving punches, like MMA and Muay Thai, differ significantly from boxing. Boxers typically throw punches from a standing position, maintaining distance to avoid being vulnerable to kicks or knee strikes.

When boxers punch, they often lean to one side and use their hips to create angles that aren’t blocked by their opponent’s guard, adding power to their punches. In other martial arts, being overly committed can expose a fighter to various attacks, including kicks and grabs.

This distinction explains why boxing sees many knockouts, while martial arts typically have fewer knockouts from punches.

Martial Arts and Their Top Fighters

Boxing is considered one of the oldest combat sports, which may contribute to its iconic status and its stars’ global recognition.

Some of the greatest boxers, like Muhammad Ali, are famous worldwide. While there are notable fighters in other combat sports, they may not be as well-known globally as boxers.

That said, it’s hard to find a country that hasn’t heard of Conor McGregor.

Here’s a list of popular martial arts and their most famous fighters:

Martial Art	Notable Fighters
Boxing	Sugar Ray Robinson, Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson
MMA	Conor McGregor, Francis Ngannou, Anderson Silva
BJJ	George Gracie, Marcus Almeida, Marcelo Garcia
Karate	Rafael Aghayev, Terutomo Yamazaki, Gichin Funakoshi
Kickboxing	Ernesto Hoost, Superbon, Singha Mawynn, Chingiz Allazov
Muay Thai	Samart Payakaroon, Kongsak Sitboonmee, Pornsanae Sitmonchai
Judo	Yasuhiro Yamashita, Wim Ruska, Kano Jigoro
Taekwondo	Hwang Kyung-seon, Steven Lopez, Aaron Cook

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Is Boxing Part of Martial Arts? Everything You Need to Know