Heya, this is directed to all those who take Martial arts. I'm looking into taking self defence classes, but not sure if I should go for either boxing, or savate. Note that I'm trying to learn what would be most useful in an actual fight, not to get in shape or learn a sport.

definately boxing, its is by far the most effective way to fight

What is savate? I do Tai Chi and dispite the popular image of bizarre and slow moving practices in the park early in the morning, it is suprisingly relevant to self defence. I go to a group which focuses a lot on fitness and applications (the self defence bit) though, not all groups are the same. Many martial arts focus too much on attack, which is useless for self defence as you'll either get your ass kicked or you'll get prosecuted/sued. Tai Chi is mainly about defense and therefore qiute useful IMHO.

[ 12-11-2005, 03:49 PM: Message edited by: Melcheor ]

Savate is supposed to be what they teach to the elite military units and such, but i dont think that really matters because if u get hit with a fist once in the nose or chin your going to be dazed.

I've been hearing good things about krav maga (do not know how to spell that.)

I'm pretty sure your thinking of something else. Krav Maga and Muay Thai are taught to the military, as is TKD. Savate to my knowledge is not.

still tho you box well your gonna take out any of these other cowboy martial arts

Unless you have intentions of trying to kick someone, I'd just as soon go with boxing. If those were your only choices that is. Otherwise Melcheor has a good point about Taiji quan. But make darn sure to ask if they do health Taiji quan or traditional Taiji quan. (Taiji= Tai Chi, btw.) The health stuff is mostly useless in a fight, because while the movements are the same, you need someone with practical application knowledge to show you *how* to use it *effectively*.

Try both and take whichever you prefer. You're better off training in something you enjoy, you're much more likely to stick with it long enough to make a difference. No martial art can fully prepare you for a real fight, but if you train in one long enough it will make a difference.

I'd suggest Savate.

Boxing is effective, and you'll be able to kick anybody who isn't a trained fighters butt (this is true for any MA, IMHO). The problem with boxing is that you're trained to hold your fists in front of your face when on the defensive. Whicle this is great when actually boxing (and wearing gloves), it leaves you very vulnerable if you are street fighting. Any trained fighter will see that your fists are too close to your face. As Balintherlas says, if you get hit in the nose you'll be dazed. Without gloves on, your own hands can do just about as much damage as your opponents, and somebody would just hit your
"blocking" fists into your own face.