Professional boxers don’t wear headgear and it’s unlikely they ever will. There are a number of reasons for this: Potential Decline in Viewing Figures Professional fights are often shown on a pay per view basis and that, together with advertising revenue, is how the sport is funded. Boxing promoters and fight organisers are very reluctant …
Boxing didn’t start out as the highly regulated sport that it is today. Originally it was two opponents punching it out with bare knuckles and there was no limit on the number of rounds the contenders had to endure. The fight continued until either one of the fighters was either knocked out or had …
With my love of all things martial arts, it wasn’t long before I was persuaded by a friend to come to a Krav Maga training session. He had been training for a number of years and were always singing the virtues of this self defense system. For those in a rush my choice was …
Often boxers, MMA and Muay Thai fighters will wear headgear when fighting and sparring in the gym. Does headgear prevent knockouts? The headgear used in these fighting sports that is essentially a padded, close fitting helmet that surrounds the head at forehead height, as well as extending down to cover the ears. It primarily …
MMA headgear can be subjected to a lot of abuse. Not only is it struck, over time, by multiple punches and kicks, but it also has to contend with being bathed in the sweat and perspiration of the wearer. Many fighters throw their headgear into their gym bag at the end of their training …
It may seem surprising but Olympic boxing headgear is no longer compulsory! Ever since 2016, the boxing headgear rules have been relaxed: boxers fighting in the Olympics are no longer required to wear headgear when competing. According to a boxing headgear study research carried out by the International Boxing Association, referees had to stop …
I’ve had my Bullworker X5 since the 1980s. It’s a simple design: it consists of a cylinder that contains a powerful spring; with two handles at each end which are held together with double banded nylon straps. Pulling the straps apart forces the handles together and compresses the spring. Alternatively, the handles can be squeezed …
Original, Vintage Bullworker X5 Review and Exercises Read More »
In both kickboxing and boxing, the head is a major striking target. Indeed, a well timed blow can result in a knock-out, bringing a bout to a dramatic conclusion. This is partly why these sports can be so exciting to watch: fortunes can change dramatically as a result of a single punch. With such …
My thoughts on the best headgear for sparring (with pictures) Read More »
I’m a huge fan of isometrics and have trained in this fashion for several years. For those unfamiliar with this training concept, it involves pushing or pulling against an immovable object. For instance, imagine standing facing a wall and trying to push the wall away from you for several seconds (like a vertical bench press). …
Aikido has been around for over 50 years and has spread to most of the developed world. It’s a dramatic martial art to watch with practitioners seemingly able to counter and throw multiple attackers at will. Despite these first impressions it’s worth considering whether Aikido is effective for self defense in real life. History of …
How effective is Aikido for self defense in real life? Read More »
