There are many divisions of kickboxing that are based on both kicks and punches, stemming from many martial arts backgrounds such as karate, Muay Thaiboxing and even western boxing. In many Lace Up Promotions events you will see bouts with various rules and regulations. Here is a breakdown of what these rules allow.
Full Contact allows all classical boxing techniques and any kicks executed to the scoring area above the waist of an opponent. The matches take place in a traditional boxing ring. All attacks can be delivered with full power (hence Full Contact). Knockouts (K.O.) and technical K.O.s will result in victory if achieved by means of a legal technique. Think about it as a boxing match with kicks above the waist as well.
Thaiboxing or Muay Thai is Thailand’s national sport. It is an ancient martial art with deep cultural traditions. During the bouts, which take place in a boxing ring, fighters not only use low kicks, but also knees and elbows to an opponent’s body and head. In most amateur bouts, elbows to the head are not permitted. Recently in New York state a law was passed allowing full rules muay thai, permitting elbow strikes to the head for professional bouts. Before every fight, competitors perform a kind of dance, the Ram Muay or Waikru. With this dance, the fighters demonstrate their absolute will to win, honour their master, and finish their warm-up.
The International Rules Kickboxing is very similar to Full Contact Kickboxing but also allows low kicks to the inner and outer part of the thigh.