(Combat) sports that would benefit a boxer most

[ViperSniper]

Thought it would be cool to look at boxers who have had previous experience in another combat sport (& sports in general).

Also which combat sport & sport would be the most beneficial to a boxer and which ones would hurt a boxer most?


So in terms of boxers with previous combat sports..majority of them come from a kickboxing background. Just now finding out Dillian Whyte was a kickboxer, Chisora too? Vitali Klitschko, Sam Soliman, Chris Algieri..& know I'm forgetting others.

Alot of boxers coming from a (American) football like Shawn Porter, Deontay Wilder & many others I'm forgetting lol

Anthony Mundine may be the most successful out of anyone as he was a top Rugby player who became world ranked as a boxer, then boxing world champion reaching high levels in both sport.


In terms of sports in general basketball would be great. How about a sport like Tennis or being a runner? I know Sergio Martinez came from a strong soccer background & also cycling. Most people would think physical sports but would any sports like tennis, cycling, swimming, soccer, track & field, gymnastics or even something like skateboarding or surfing be a good mix/combo for a boxer?


In terms of which combat sports would benefit a boxer most jujitsu or even some form of wrestling for (upper) body strength & inside fighting?
I've heard kickboxing can hurt or hold a boxer back due to completely different emphasis on stance and footwork..


This leaves for another question to close off here but outside of boxing, which combat sport would produce the best or quickest hand strikers (open fist or not)?

[lloyd mayflower]

Freddie Flintoff, cricket.

[blackbelt2003]

Muay Thai obviously does OK since most of the Thai guys have a background in it. It certainly doesn't help their technique or stance...but it is a tough sport and it definitely helps make them quality brawlers.


There are different types of kickboxing. Any type of kickboxing that includes leg kicks makes the boxing stance difficult to adapt to (as mentioned for Thai fighters, above).

You cant put your weight very far forward in a stance if you possibly have to lift your lead foot up to check a kick every few seconds. This is an area that makes transitioning problematic.

Above the waist kickboxing, though, is not so bad, since you can adopt more of a regular boxing stance for that one.

Troy Dorsey was a world champion kickboxer (above the waist style) who transitioned effortlessly into boxing and won a world title in super quick fashion since he didn't need much tuning up.


Nigel Benn was also an above the waist style kickboxer. Ricky Hatton and Tony Bellew, too, but those three switched to boxing fairly early on.




Black

[JONdaCON]

Ballet