Will karate damage my boxing?

Question

I am doing boxing at the moment and I want to get some more variety and be more prepared to defend myself, will karate compliment my boxing or do the two not go together.The syle of karate I am thinking about doing is Kyokushin Karate Kyokushinkai.

Answer 1

This should be just fine.

"Just remember to keep your feet down in the boxing ring!"

Good combo.

Answer 2

It is a matter of personal choice. It is a bit of a narrow selection; boxing or karate. There are alot more fighting styles around than that. The best thing to do is try a few out, and see which one you prefer. In terms of self defence, Muay Thai is probably the most available of the most effective styles. It is almost as quick to learn as boxing, the conditioning is similar, but it will prepare you better for self defence than boxing. Karate is a good style, but it has become a bit too focused on tournaments for my liking. When I did Shotokan back in the 1980's, it was more about self defence, and the training was different to today, now it tends to be dominated by Kata and point sparring.

Answer 3

I have had two gold glove champions that won in first the Novice division their first year and then the Open division the second year. One was a very talented martial artist that started in karate at nine years of age and the other was not. For the first student it was not too difficult to adjust his strategy, timing, distance, and go from boxing to kick boxing and even to point fighting. He could go back and forth easily from one to the next on any given night of working out, sparring or competing. For the second student it was more difficult to do this since he started martial arts at a much later age. Some fighters have the ability to do this and some do not.

As for technique there are some principles that carry over from one to the other like the turning of your hips and heels for leverage when you do certain techniques or punches, widening and lengthening your stance slightly to draw power up from the floor or canvass through your legs and hips to give your punches more power, and being up on your toes slightly to make you more mobile and agile. While some of these things carry over from one sport to the other a lot also has to do with the coach or instructor and their approach to you doing both and how each relates his sport to the other that he may not teach or coach in. All you can do is try it and see and you may find that you are able able to do both without too much trouble.

Answer 4

Kyokushin is probably an ideal style to add to your boxing.
In Kyokushin kumite blows to the head with your fists are not permitted, competitors do not wear any protective equipment. You can imagine what damage bare knuckles would couse to someones face...
Kicks though are permitted to the head, but believe me, a head is very difficult to hit with a kick, quick moving and flexible target.
Kyokushin exponents to punch heavily to the body and employ lots of low kicks to the thighs of the opponent.
Combine this with your already existing boxing skill, in my humble opinion you will possess a rather potent mix of martial arts skill (just add a bit of grappling and groundwork, and you'll be well-rounded).

Answer 5

if it is kyokoshin odds are it will enhance you as an overall fighter and your boxing will enhance your kyokoshin.

training in boxing you are developing the agressiveness and hand skills that carry over to any style.

the power generation of boxing should not be dumned down by kyokoshin as that tends to be taught realistically.

If you find they are teaching you something contrary to what you know to be true and better for bieng able to strike with more power- then you got a crappy school.

however, kyokoshin has a far lower number of mcdojos and sub-par training than most styles of karate.

Answer 6

If your looking to defend yourself Karate is a double thumbs up on top of boxing. it will teach you more about self defense parts like breaking locks etc, and using kicks which always come in handy.
You just have to remember to take what works from both so it is effective.
eg. keeping your hands up boxing style is great then pulling out an unexpected sidekick to your opponents leg.
have fun.

Answer 7

It will actually help it as a lot of the skills and reflexes you develope through Karate training can carry over to boxing as well.

Answer 8

If you are doing this for self defense, it is always better to have broader experience and be able to use your legs as well as your hands. If not for self defense, its still good to cross train for the same reasons.

Answer 9

THE BEST

ive done shotokan and now boxing and it works out like poetry in mma fights.

Answer 10

No. It shouldn't hurt your boxing at all. In fact, it should give you more perspective on fighting.