Aikido Vs Boxing

The Aikido vs Boxing Comparison

To compare aikido vs boxing is really like comparing apples and oranges. Sure, they are both sports of physical contact but then again, so is dancing and wrestling. However, as different as they may be, aikido is being used to help train boxers in certain areas. Many people are striving to learn for themselves just how aikido fits into martial arts as the practice is described as being surreal. Complex techniques exist to train your mind to ignore outside influences while focusing on the fight.

There are three things that aikido is really beneficial for:

The learned increase of self-awareness and the presence of bodies around you. This empowers you to actually rely on your senses to evaluate the distance between them and yourself. This special sense is developed by practicing on a mat that is well populated. The more people the better!

Aikido gives you the ability to have much more control over developing the fight or situation.

Timing and maai are learned as well as visualizing defensive openings. This is primarily where the aikido vs boxing comparison comes in because this is a concept that you learn in boxing as well as other one-on-one martial arts.

Aikido

To fairly evaluate the difference and similarities of aikido vs boxing, it is helpful to look at both the art forms separately. Aikido is translated as being a way of harmonious spirit. It was designed as a way to protect yourself without causing unnecessary injury to your attacker. It is performed by strategically blending the attacker's motion and redirecting the force.

Aikido actually does not require a great deal of physical strength the way boxing does. You use your attacker's momentum to your advantage along with joint locks and throws. Therefore, one of the most important things to learn is how to safely fall. After basic techniques are learned, you progress on defending yourself against multiple opponents with techniques and weapons.

Training pursues flexibility, endurance and relaxation, all qualities that can benefit a boxer which is why aikido is so popular to add to a boxing training program. Aikido training is just as much mental as it is physical. Learning how to relax the body and mind even in a dangerous situation or under stress is very important. You are taught that in order to execute without any hesitation, you have to be able to receive your opponent's attack.

Boxing

Now to look at the other side of the aikido vs boxing comparison you will find that boxing is more of a combat sport where individuals fight with gloved fists for competition. It is usually supervised by a referee in timed intervals and it includes a list of rules for the participants. There is one minute of rest between rounds for the athletes to regroup and tend to wounds and the fighter at the end that is either left standing or has a higher score is the winner.

In general, the boxers are prohibited from holding, pushing, tripping, spitting, biting, wrestling and hitting below the belt. They also cannot hit the kidneys or the back of the head, kick, head bunt or elbow or shoulder someone. Violations result in fouls which may cause the player to have points deducted from their score, have an automatic loss or be disqualified.

Similarities

Stance – While the stance is not the same in aikido or boxing, it does share an important similarity. A proper stance allows the athlete to be fully prepared to fight. A boxer's stance creates an attack and defense position while an aikido participant's stance allows for an evaluation of their opponent.

Contact – Both sports engage in physical contact. With boxing, the individual is there to inflict pain however, with aikido, the participant does inflict pain but only as much is needed to defend themselves.

Defense – The last similarity to examine in aikido vs boxing is defense. In aikido, this is the main purpose of the art form and why it is learned and practiced whereas in boxing, defense is an important element to win the competition.