Last Updated on October 16, 2023 by Alex PT
Aikido is a Japanese martial art, non-competitive, and emphasizes self-defense and joint locks. Boxing, a combat sport, focuses on punches for knockouts. Aikido prioritizes harmony, while boxing has rounds and weight divisions.
Aikido vs. Boxing Comparison
| Aspect | Aikido | Boxing |
|---|---|---|
| Origin | Japanese martial art | Western combat sport |
| Focus | Self-defense, joint locks | Punching and knockouts |
| Competitive | Non-competitive | Competitive |
| Techniques | Grapples, throws, locks | Punches, footwork |
| Attire | Gi (uniform) | Boxing shorts and gloves |
| Rules | Emphasizes control | Rounds, weight divisions |
| Philosophy | Harmony, redirection | Aggression, strategy |
| Scoring | No scoring system | Points for hits and rounds |
| Training Approach | Cooperative practice | Sparring and drills |
Aikido (In Details)
Aikido is a Japanese-born martial art and self-defense training system that has similar techniques to judo and jiu-jitsu. It mainly uses throwing and twisting techniques to beat an opponent. Fighters get to use pressure on vital nerve centers to turn the strength and quickness of an opponent against them. As a beginner, you’ll be taught how to pin down or subdue your opponent instead of trying to knock him out or maim him. Nevertheless, Aikido still has some movements that are considered dangerous.
For you to master an attack from your opponent, you’ll have to be able to remain calm as you control your entire body. Aikido especially emphasizes the development of courtesy and respect for everyone involved in it. In the 14th century, Japan remained the only place where the basic techniques and principles of Aikido came from. Thanks to the good work of Ueshiba Morihei, a Japanese martial arts expert, Aikido was modified to its modern form in the early 20th century.
One thing people really love about this martial art form is that it doesn’t practice any offensive moves that can pose serious life-threatening injuries. As a martial arts expert, Ueshiba taught people about the fairness and harmlessness of the art form, giving that no heavy contact between trainees. Not quite long after, “Tomiki Aikido”, a competition style that uses some Aikido techniques was developed by one of Ueshiba’s students, called Tomiki Kenji. In this contest, you’ll be given either a rubber or wooden knife. If you can successfully tough your opponent with it, you’ll be given some points. But your opponent will also try to avoid the touch and disarm you.
Boxing (In Details)
Boxing is a popular Olympic sport that focuses on attacking and defending with arm techniques only. Boxers are trained to hit their opponents hard with fists and also dodge any blows from the opponent as well. As a boxer, you can either be victorious in a match by outscoring your opponent by knocking them out or be pronounced the winner by the judge after scoring more points. In boxing games, bouts range from 3 to 12 rounds where each round lasts three minutes each with a minute to rest. In the 23rd Olympiad, boxing surfaces as a formal Olympic event.
Nonetheless, fist-fighting has been something that has been in existence for so long. The earliest evidence of rules and regulations of boxing emanated from ancient Greece where no rounds were used. Winners were only decided when a fighter knocked out his opponent to the extent that he couldn’t continue with the match again. Boxing was more brutal and considered an injury-prone sport. Most boxing games were held outside in the hot sun and bright sunlight. The majority of fighters back then were from distinguished and wealthy backgrounds. It didn’t take long before boxing rose to its spotlight and the world of sport generally accepted it. In today’s world, boxing is one of the most popular sports that is participated in every part of the world.
Is Aikido Effective In A Real Fight?
Aikido is a modern Japanese martial art that is often the subject of debate when it comes to its efficacy in real-world combat. While it imparts many valuable skills, the question remains: “Is Aikido effective in a real fight?” Analyzing the key components of Aikido can shed light on this conundrum.
1. Emphasizes Harmony Over Confrontation
A distinguishing feature of Aikido is its emphasis on harmony and redirection of force rather than direct confrontation. This could be challenging in a real fight, as the art form focuses more on de-escalating the situation rather than attacking.
2. Lacks Practical Training
Unlike other martial arts such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu or Muay Thai, typical Aikido training does not often involve dynamic, full-contact sparring, but mostly rehearsed movements with a cooperative partner. This lack of practical training may limit its usefulness in a real fight situation.
3. Difficult to Master
Aikido is intricate and nuanced which makes it difficult to master. The ability to leverage an attacker’s movement against them under the pressures of a real fight may be tricky for those who are not at advanced levels.
4. Not Designed for Modern Combat
Aikido’s techniques are derived from Samurai battlefields, which makes them not necessarily suitable for modern hand-to-hand combat situations. They were created more for defense against swords and other traditional weapons, not bare-handed fights.
5. Emphasizes Spiritual Growth
Aikido is often viewed more as a medium for self-improvement and spiritual growth rather than a fighting method. Its practitioners prioritize cultivating peace, balance, and harmony, all of which might not offer direct benefits in a physical fight scenario.
6. However, Skills Are Adaptive
However, it’s noteworthy that an advanced practitioner who is able to adapt Aikido’s principles could still potentially apply the art effectively in real battles. For instance, the art’s emphasis on balance and motion control can be beneficial in evading attacks and destabilizing opponents.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Focus on balance and motion control | Lacks practical training |
| Teaches harmony and redirection of force | Difficult to master |
| May serve well for some in a self-defense scenario | Not designed for modern combat |
In conclusion, while Aikido provides invaluable skills and principles, its effectiveness in a real fight may be limited, particularly for those who are not adept practitioners. It may serve well for some in a self-defense scenario, although it may not be the best option for direct, offensive combat.
FAQs
Is Aikido Effective Against A Boxer?
No! An Aikido fighter has zero chance against a professional boxer. Aikido can only be effective in small situations against MMA or boxing. Aikido doesn’t teach practitioners how to injure or make sparring contacts during a match, and that’s why it won’t be effective against a boxer who is trained to hit and knock out his opponent quickly.
Is Aikido Effective In A Real Fight?
You shouldn’t go into a real fight with an interposed knowledge of Aikido. It is advisable to have learned all the defensive strategies needed for self-defense before going into any street fight. These defense techniques include joint locks, throws, and strikes. Keep in mind that Aikido teaches you techniques that will help you defend yourself without hurting the attacker. If you’d prefer taking down or hurting your attacker during a street fight, you should consider other combat sports and self-defense systems like boxing and karate.
Do Any MMA Fighters Use Aikido?
The former Strikeforce Welterweight Champion, Nick Diaz is one of those MMA fighters that have mastered Aikido, karate, and wrestling techniques. Also, other popular MMA fighters have strong Aikido background. They include Jason Delucia and Daniel Cage. Delucia is the one who developed his own version of “Combat Aikido”.
Is Aikido Really Useless?
No! Aikido isn’t really useless. It is a useful martial art that can still help you defend yourself in a real-life fighting situation. Once you’ve mastered the required techniques, you’ll be able to shield off any attack from your opponent.
Closing Thoughts
The differences between boxing and Aikido are clear enough. Boxing remains an Olympic sport where techniques are used to defeat your opponent, while Aikido is a non-Olympic sport that focuses on the redirection of momentum and strength of your opponent without the impact of a kick or punch. So, basically, practicing Aikido isn’t really impacted by your physical strength, size, and age. We’ve come to the final chapter of this informative article. We hope you were able to find good and reliable resources in your quest to know the differences between Aikido and boxing. If you have any questions or comments about the article topic, don’t hesitate to contact us. Thanks!
References:
https://martialartsroad.com/aikido-vs-boxing-comparison/
https://www.quora.com/Who-would-win-a-fight-Aikido-or-Boxing
Hi! I’m Alex PT. I hold a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management from Indiana University and have over seven years of valuable experience working in a Sports Event Management Company. I founded SportBlurb with the passion for bringing you the latest, most insightful, and engaging content in the world of sports. So, whether you’re a die-hard fan or want to stay informed, I’ve got you covered!