Boxing or Martial Arts?

I currently wrestle. In an amatueur level. with friends. I mean like the grappling Greek wrestling... not the WWE.





I want to start either a form of Martial Arts or proper Boxing Training. I also box currently... but only for fitness means. I have no idea about technique.





So which would you choose? Martial arts or Boxing? I suppose I could be adequete at Karate or Taek-won-do. I know I have a boxers physique... but i don't want to limit myself to one style.


Is there a style of fighting which combines the essentials of both sports? I'd love to know one... to combine both passions.





Also... I'm 14. As I've been boxing for a while... I know I'm decent... and can be fairly formidable in later years. But As most kids start martial arts at -10 years I've been wondering if I should dedicate myself to it... because I can't stand to fail. So do you think I'm too old to start or not.





PS:I'll still do it even if I'm too old. I just won't dedicate myself to it and will stick to boxing

Boxing or Martial Arts?
So far it sounds like you have had no formal training.





You like to wrestle, and apparently like the fitness aspects of boxing.





At 14 you aren't too young to start MMA. My advice would be to look for a nearby MMA school, where you can learn proper boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, and submissions.





14 is not too old to start anything (except for Olympic Gymnastics).





If you wish you could start any Martial Art that you deem worthy of your time or that you really like.





However, if you are a driven and you like the competetive aspect of things, I would join an MMA school, and look to wrestle next year in High School. There you can get some serious fitness, and with MMA learn boxing and many different forms of striking, as well as how to put it together with your wrestling (and actually get solid wrestling technique and fundamentals so that you end up dominating your friends with ease).





Also with proper training (MMA allows you to train and spar realistically in many areas, instead of just striking, or just grappling, a good MMA school will have specialists in each that can instruct you properly, and help with any bad habits you may have already developed).





Between Martial Arts and boxing, it is toss up to me. It depends on the Art. I prefer Martial Arts where there is solid sparring, and train in an alive manner. I also prefer Arts that can provide some exposure to tournaments and competetions, as they give me exposure to testing my skills under adrenaline based situations against similarly skilled opponents. I want full contact, the ability to spar with intensity, and opponents who are trying to win against me, not just throw half @ssed punches or kicks.





In short, I want something that trains in an alive manner.


http://www.straightblastgym.com/alivenes...





Boxing is great, however it is limited. Wrestling is great, again it is limited, but both are great for fitness and great for effectiveness. I think that if you can find a place that combines both of them (such as MMA) and allows you to spar full out, utlizing takedowns, strikes on the ground, and submissions, well then you are setting yourself up to be competent in each range of combat.





In either case if I can be of any help, feel free to email me with the link on my answers profile. Best of luck to you with whatever path you choose.
Reply:You are definetly not to old to start a Martial Art. I don't understand your question though. Are you looking only to pick up fighting skills to be in the ring like the UFC? If so I would recomend Muya Tai to go along with your wrestling. Are you looking for realistic self defense? Then you should go with a traditional martial art taught by an instructor that teaches it the right way. Too many people today see the sport karate, sport Tae Kwon Do, etc. and think that is what martial arts is. A real honest to goodness traditional martial arts class will teach you very effective self defense, including defense against weapons. It will teach you no holds barred stuff, for use on the street, but will also instill in you a desire to avoid fighting. No one style will teach you everything there is to know. Martial arts is a lifetime pursuit.
Reply:Well, first of all, I'd like to point out that boxing is a martial art. Boxing is a very good hand, but you need good legs as well to be a good all around fighter. I'd suggest Muay Thai. It uses both boxing and kicking. Since you already know wrestling, it will complement and add to your skills. You can also just take boxing, and then take Tae Kwon Do to add to you legs.
Reply:Maybe as you've already done some basic boxing for fitness it may be easy for you to get into. Having said that in Martial Arts, you learn far more techniques which are applicable many more fighting situations and not just in the boxing ring. For this reason I would say that Martial Arts would be better for you. Maybe Karate, Thai boxing. It would complement you re Wrestling experience greatly.





http://markschat.blogspot.com Fighting and Training Methods for the unarmed Martial Artist
Reply:A martial art you will dedicate yourself to is the best one for you. Most of the good martial artist I know have been doing it more years than you have been alive. I know some who started in their 50's and some who started when the were 6 or 8 years old. TAek Wan Do is a good art and at your age if you work hard you could compete in the Olympics.


By the way it is no crime to lose a fight it is however a shame not to give everything you do your best.


You are certainly not to old to start any of the popular martial arts.
Reply:I would have to say martial arts. I know 50 year olds that are only white belts, you just have to say that you do wrestling and they'll adjust to the right techniques for you.
Reply:Keep up the wrestling. It is probably pretty cost effective right now. I'd try some BJJ, kickboxing or boxing. But make sure not to get your parents suckered into a gym contract or paying alot.





**IF you want to go on the cheap, get kickboxing dvd's on overstock.com.
Reply:Martial Arts





Its great self-defense it someone comes at you or a Friend. You can block different types of attacks other than punches like kicks, knives, and polls.





I don't know about a style that combines both sports, maybe kick boxing? You are not too old to start, I know people who started as adults





Also, you said something about one style. You can do more than one fighting style. I know a few. There are even studios that teach several kinds. Also, if you go to a Martial Arts place, you should ask if they have seminars that incorporate different styles, I've been to a few. they're a great way of discovering new styles.





Also, in boxing (from what I understand) once you become old you usually become a coach. I went to a seminar once where the teach was late 60s early 70s and he was throwing these young guys around like they were pillow cases (and he didn't hurt any of them)!





Also, the whole thing about self-confidence and focus that you gain from Martial Arts is not a gimmick. And unless you do try and put in an effort you can fail at Martial Arts. It's all about what's inside of you. Besides, Martial Arts isn't really sports oriented.





I hope this helps you and I'm glad that you're taking an interest in Martial Arts =]
Reply:Boxing is a martial art.





Choose the style and school that feels best for you. Visit the schools in person. You cannot get any feeling for a style or school by looking at websites.