Full Contact Kickboxing E-Book

Andy Dumas

• Herausgeber: The Crowood Press
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 257

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2022

Beschreibung

The sport of Full Contact Kickboxing demands the highest degree of technical skill, physical conditioning and intellectual discipline. Athletes must rely on their technical expertise by throwing all kicks above the waist and winning the bout purely with kickboxing techniques. A structured training programme is therefore essential. Full Contact Kickboxing is a comprehensive guide to all aspects of kickboxing training. Combining the expertise of an experienced coach and kickboxing champion, it provides the motivation and techniques needed to make better choices in and out of the ring, and to become a disciplined and successful competitor. Featuring over 380 photographs, this valuable training guide will help readers to swiftly progress and gain a competitive edge. It will be of great interest to all those interested in kickboxing principles, from amateurs to professionals, from boxers to martial artists.

Leseprobe

First published in 2022 byThe Crowood Press LtdRamsbury, MarlboroughWiltshire SN8 2HR

[email protected]

This e-book first published in 2022

© Andy Dumas and James Turner 2022

All rights reserved. This e-book is copyright material and must not be copied, reproduced, transferred, distributed, leased, licensed or publicly performed or used in any way except as specifically permitted in writing by the publishers, as allowed under the terms and conditions under which it was purchased or as strictly permitted by applicable copyright law. Any unauthorised distribution or use of this text may be a direct infringement of the author’s and publisher’s rights, and those responsible may be liable in law accordingly.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 0 7198 4140 8

Cover design: Sergey Tsvetkov

Photo credits

Instructional photographs by Kyla McCall, Nikola Novak, Troy Moth, Anna Tarazevich and Mark Yeomans. James Turner fight photographs by Katie Bater Photography, Stewart Lee – Instant Memories, and Mark Yeomans Photography. Photo consultant: Kyla McCall.

Dedication

Dedicated to our parents, Eve and Cliff Dumas Sr, and Kay and Andrew Turner.

Acknowledgements

Our thanks go to Scott Ashley, Paul Barnett (UK Martial Arts Show), John Barrett (JBAMA), Chad Blevins, Massimo Brizi (IKTA Italia/Vice World President), Curtis Bush, Alessio Crescentini, Brenda DiTullio, Steve and Jill Dowrick, Jamie Dumas, Louise Fletcher (Cornwall College Sport), Shingo Fukoshima, Marco Ghibaudo (IKTA World President), Richie Hale, Zoltan Horvath, Jackie Jenks, Jack Johns, Angie LaFontaine, Gemma Mitchell, Dorian Murray, Kyle ‘Like Whoa’ Murray, ‘Iron’ Ron Murray, Tracy Murray, Carl ‘Nevercease’ Noel, Laecio Nunes, Gyula T. Pap, Abi Perkins, Sophie Prideaux, Andrea Rinaldi, Dan Sillifant, Gary Sillifant, Dave Steggles, Bob Sykes (UK Martial Arts Show), Lee Toms, Mandy Tredinnick, George Turner, Aleksandr Usmanov, Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace, Bernie Willems, Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson, James Wilson, Mark Yeomans. Andy Dumas/James Turner artwork by Jōnetsu. If we’ve left your name out, remind us, and we’ll get you in the next book!

Evolve Sport and Fitness Camborne, Cornwall College Sport; S.W.A.T. Health (Synergy Wellness Attitude Training), Port Credit, Ontario; Lowell MacLean of www.apex-fitness.ca; www.rootsoffight.com.

Disclaimer

Please note that the authors and the publisher of this book, and those others who have contributed to it, are not responsible in any manner whatsoever for any damage or injury of any kind that may result from practising, or applying, the principles, ideas, techniques and/or following the instructions/information described in this publication. Since the physical activities described in this book may be too strenuous in nature for some readers to engage in safely, it is essential that a doctor be consulted before participating.

CONTENTS

Foreword by World Champion Massimo Brizi

Preface

1 INTRODUCTION TO THE ‘SPORT OF KINGS’

2 KICKBOXING FUNDAMENTALS

3 WORKING THE BAGS

4 WORKING THE FOCUS PADS

5 LEARNING THE ROPES

6 RUN LIKE A KICKBOXER

7 WEIGHT TRAINING FOR KICKBOXING

8 STRETCHING AND FLEXIBILITY FOR KICKBOXING

9 SPARRING

10 TRAINING ROUTINES AND WORKOUTS

11 DEVELOPING A WINNER’S MINDSET

Index

FOREWORD

by World Champion Massimo Brizi

When one begins learning Kickboxing or any combat sport, it often happens on a whim or without much enthusiasm. But after several lessons, the student tends to change in attitude, being fascinated by the various techniques that are gradually introduced over the proceeding weeks and months. Continuing regular training, the student experiences the satisfaction that comes through physical improvement acquired in a short time. When this change in attitude occurs, the student decides to persevere with awareness of what can be achieved. The student chooses to embark on a path….

Massimo Brizi and Alessio Panetta.

Over time, this awareness becomes deeper, as we begin to look beyond the technical skills and physical training, and we perceive that these two aspects of Martial Arts are intimately related to the mind. Therefore, our mental attitude comes into play and is cultivated through training for improvements in physical performance and technical skill. Combat sport is therefore transformed for many into the ideal habitat where technique, physical training and mental exercise become tools for inner growth. Those who truly follow the path of combat look after the roots of the plant more than its flowers.

Within the pages of this book, you will learn, step-by-step, the process for attaining proficiency in the art and sport of Kickboxing. All the elements of offence, defence, tactics, physical training and mental approach are covered by co-authors who are acclaimed experts in the combat sports world.

Andy Dumas is a prolific individual in the field, having authored several successful Boxing training books and videos throughout a career spanning over 20 years. He is highly respected in fight sports and the fitness industry. From a young age, Andy learned Boxing from his father, Cliff Dumas Sr. who was Canadian Champion. Andy’s lifelong passion for Boxing led to this meeting of minds with James, and both expert-authors have constructed an exceptionally high-quality Kickboxing training manual.

Becoming a champion in combat sports is not for everyone. Becoming an international Kickboxing champion is the privilege of a small minority, including James Turner.

James fights in the right way. He relies on technique, precision timing and great physical performance. The road to success in Full Contact Kickboxing includes blood, sweat and tears. Sacrifice must become your travel companion, a presence that never leaves you. Alongside physical and athletic ability, a fighter needs additional qualities in order to separate from the pack and aim high. James has all of these qualities. He will soon fulfil his dream of lifting the World Championship belt in an amazing performance.

Massimo Brizi

World Champion

IKTA Italia/Vice World President

PREFACE

ANDY DUMAS

Over the years, I have been asked the same question many times: ‘Why do you participate in the art of fighting?’ My answer is that Kickboxing is not fighting. Kickboxing is a sport. These athletes do not carry rage or anger into the ring. Inherent conflict is not present among competitive Kickboxers. They dedicate themselves to mastering the mental and physical aspects of the art of Kickboxing. They have a respect for themselves and their opponents.

This book is for all those interested in Kickboxing principles, from amateur Kickboxers to professionals, from Boxers to Martial Artists. The following chapters will guide you through all aspects of Kickboxing training. However, this book is not intended to replace the guidance and supervision of an experienced coach, rather to complement a coach’s instruction. As a dedicated athlete, you must train with the mindset that every opponent will be superior. To put it simply: prepared, educated and informed Kickboxers make better choices in the ring and in training. Full Contact Kickboxing – A Complete Guide to Training and Strategies is the most comprehensive and complete examination and review of the sport and discipline of Kickboxing that has been published to date. It has been a privilege to have as my co-author James ‘The Dragon’ Turner, accomplished Kickboxing Champion and Hall of Fame Martial Artist.

My boxing/fitness career has spanned several decades, and I have been fortunate to spend time with some of the greatest athletes to have ever laced up the gloves. However, there is no doubt that the pinnacle were the times I spent with my idol, the great Muhammad Ali, who inspired millions around the world to be the best that they can be.

I hope this book motivates and inspires you to be the best you can be.

Andy Dumas.

JAMES TURNER

My Martial Arts journey began at a young age. Inspired by the great champions, I found my path: Kickboxing. I have experienced many inspirational moments during my time in the sport. I have taken great pleasure in hosting seminars by pioneering World Champion Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace in Cornwall, England.

In 2017, I was honoured to be asked by legendary World Champion Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson to be in his corner for his ‘Comeback’ Exhibition Match. In 2019, I was bestowed with the honour of being appointed IKTA UK/Great Britain President by legendary World Champion Massimo Brizi. And in 2020, I was honoured to be invited by my favourite Boxing training author, Andy Dumas, to co-author the book you are reading now. In 2021 and 2022, I was recognized in the UK Black Belt Hall Of Fame, having been recognized in the UK Martial Arts Hall Of Fame in 2018. All of these were humbling and inspirational moments in my life.

From a young age, I wanted to follow in the footsteps of those who inspired me. I still walk this path today; training to be the best Martial Artist that I can be. I was inspired to relish the training and dedication required to excel in the Martial Arts. I hope Andy and I can provide some meaningful inspiration for you.

James ‘The Dragon’ Turner.

1

INTRODUCTION TO THE ‘SPORT OF KINGS’

THE BEGINNING

In the early 1970s, a Martial Arts phenomenon was emerging in the United States and the western hemisphere. Throughout the previous decade, the Martial Arts had received increasingly significant exposure and interest through movies, television, books, magazines and popular culture. Celebrities such as Sean Connery, Dean Martin, Steve McQueen and Elvis Presley were vocal about their interest and practice of the Martial Arts. Television shows such as Kung Fu starring David Carradine achieved massive popularity, and the young Martial Arts master and actor who was known to American audiences as Kato, the trusty chauffeur and ‘sidekick’ to The Green Hornet, had been starring in record breaking movies in Hong Kong, and was about to become a global superstar and icon with the release of the 1973 classic Enter the Dragon. That man was, of course, Bruce Lee.

James Turner and Andy Dumas.

While this rise in Martial Arts popularity was happening in the entertainment industry, the desire of the public to learn these skills was concurrently growing. Karate, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do and Judo schools were appearing across the United States throughout the 1960s, increasing the public’s opportunity to learn Asian arts of self-defence. The striking-based styles – those concerned with punching and kicking – were generally marketed as forms of Karate. This Martial Arts uprising would carry across from the US to Canada, to South America, and across the pond to European countries and beyond.

Along with the recreational interest, Martial Arts-based sport flourished in the US. Karate tournaments were the proving ground for competitors of the 1960s and early 1970s. Known as Point Karate, Point Fighting, or Semi Contact, the sport features the use of traditional Karate techniques in a controlled manner, i.e. a punch or a kick is executed with restraint. If a technique is performed with excessive force, that would lead to penalties and potentially, eventual disqualification. Only one technique can score by either competitor before the referee halts the action to award a point to the scoring fighter. Point Karate is a great sport and requires a high level of skill, speed, timing and accuracy, but some of the top competitors of that era longed for a more dynamic and less restrictive form of Martial Arts competition.

One such competitor was World Heavyweight Karate Champion Joe Lewis, who as a US Marine stationed on the island of Okinawa, had learnt the art of Shorin-Ryu Karate. When he returned to the US he continued to develop and expand his Martial Arts repertoire during his competitive Karate career. He trained extensively in Boxing with former Heavyweight contender Joe Orbillo, and began working with then sought-after instructor Bruce Lee, who was interested in sharing his Jeet Kune Do fighting principles with the Karate competitor Lewis. Unlike many Martial Artists of the time period, Lee trained and taught with modern and innovative training apparatus such as the Boxing heavy bag, focus pads, the double-end-bag and football tackle shield for practising side kicks. These training approaches were concerned with realistic combat, punching and kicking with full force. This was not something that all Martial Artists or Martial Arts competitors at the time were concerned with gravitating towards. Some did, however.

Defeating the top competitors of the time, Lewis credited his time with Lee as one of the key factors that encouraged him to move in a new direction. Lewis and others, including promoter Mike Anderson, were determined to bring this approach into the limelight as a sport. Subsequently, Lewis fought some early matches; the first was against Greg Baines in 1970 where the ring announcer identified the fighters as ‘Kickboxers’.

The sport of Full Contact Karate (now known as Kickboxing) officially began on 14 September 1974 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, California, USA. The debut of the sport was highlighted on ABC’s ‘Wide World of Entertainment’ and saw four World Champions crowned: Joe Lewis (Heavyweight, USA), Jeff Smith (Light Heavyweight, USA), Bill Wallace (Middleweight, USA) and Isaias Duenas (Lightweight, Mexico). The television broadcast attained the highest rating in its time slot for the previous two years. The sport became, as Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace described it, ‘… an overnight sensation. Everybody in the whole world wanted to do Full Contact Karate.’ Audiences were enthralled by the exciting action on display; it was the first time that television viewers had seen top Martial Arts athletes compete against each other using maximum force – literally, Full Contact.

Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace.

The 14 September 1974 event marked the beginning of Professional Martial Arts Fighting as a sport in North America, leading to the growth and development of what would become known as Kickboxing. Pioneering leaders in the sport such as Joe Corley and Howard Hanson developed their organizations through world rankings, television exposure and by establishing platforms for the superstars of the sport to flourish. Kickboxing paved the way for other combat sports to emerge from the Martial Arts boom of the ‘70s, ‘80s and ‘90s, including Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Today, several combat sports allow their competitors to kick, whereas this was a novelty to western audiences in the 1970s when Kickboxing debuted on television. Until that point in time, western television audiences only knew Professional Boxing as ‘the’ sport where competitors fought to the knockout.

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

When someone asks about the term Full Contact Kickboxing, the simplest explanation would be that the name refers to the top designation of the sport, the variations being Semi Contact, Light Contact and Full Contact Kickboxing. However, you may also come across the sport being referred to as Full Contact Karate, Contact Karate or American Kickboxing. In addition to this, you may observe ‘Kickboxing’ matches that have vastly different rules to those laid out in this book. Why?

The answer lies in the development of our sport at a time when other combat sports were also coming into the public consciousness.

As the 1970s progressed, the then named Full Contact Karate community became increasingly aware of the advantages of implementing offensive and defensive techniques from Boxing into their repertoire. While the first wave of champions already had Boxing training, increasing numbers of the top competitors that followed were hiring Boxing trainers and working out in Boxing gyms, either exclusively, or alongside training at their Karate Dojos. By the end of the 1970s, Point Karate gloves were replaced by boxing gloves, ‘throwing’ techniques were taken out of competition and the Boxing ring was now the standard fighting area for Full Contact Karate. This evolution of the fighting techniques and the rules contributed to the sport becoming widely known as Kickboxing. World Champion Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez recalls that he and his peers were already referring to the sport as Kickboxing in 1975.

As the sport continued into the 1980s, the terms Full Contact Karate and Kickboxing were often used interchangeably. Different organizations also used variations of these terms. When fighters were being introduced in the ring during the mid-to-late 1980s, it wasn’t uncommon to hear their ‘Contact Karate’ or ‘American Kickboxing’ records being announced to the crowd.

By the 1990s, the term Kickboxing had been established to define the sport. The top champions were now commonly known as World Kickboxing Champions – more frequently so than Karate Champions. The sport had stars, and their profiles consolidated the term Kickboxing in the public consciousness. Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson starred in over thirty successful Martial Arts action movies to complement his record-setting World Championship Kickboxing career. In the wake of Chuck Norris’ A Force of One and some other early examples, Wilson’s films pioneered ‘Kickboxing movies’ as their own sub-genre. American Kickboxer (1991) starring John Barrett and Keith Vitali and Psycho Kickboxer (1997) starring Curtis Bush further exemplified the establishment of the term ‘Kickboxing’.

Within the combat sports world, into the 1990s and through to today, use of the term ‘Full Contact’ remains to distinguish the sport from other disciplines. This is because the term ‘Kickboxing’ has become something of an ‘umbrella term’ to describe various different combat sports that prioritize kicking and punching techniques. These include Muay Thai/Thai Boxing (referred to by some as ‘Muay Thai Kickboxing’), Sanda/San Shou (sometimes referred to as ‘Chinese Kickboxing’) as well as other formats such as K-1 Rules (referred to by some as ‘K-1 Kickboxing’) and International/Freestyle Rules Kickboxing (which include kicking to the legs). In the late 1950s, the term ‘Kickboxing’ was already being used in Japan to describe more brutal bouts in which fighters wore shorts, no shin or foot protection and used knee strikes in addition to kicks and punches. During the mid-to-late 1970s, ‘Full Contact Karate’ fighters fought against ‘Japanese Kickboxers’ in international matches, but it wasn’t long before Full Contact Karate fighters became more widely known as Kickboxers themselves, including in Japan. Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez was the first American Full Contact Karate/Kickboxing athlete to become a favourite with Japanese fight fans. Being featured in a Japanese comic book series is just one example of his fame and impact as an early pioneer.

Because of the broad usage of the term ‘Kickboxing’ in various regions of the world and by numerous organizations, each sport/rule-set needs its own accompanying term to provide clarification. Therefore, Full Contact Kickboxing is used as a long-form title of our sport. This term serves not only to distinguish the discipline from other combat sports, but also of its own variants: Semi Contact, Light Contact and Full Contact Kickboxing. You may still come across the word Karate being used interchangeably with Kickboxing; this is a reflection of the sport’s roots and its foundation in the traditional Martial Arts.

So, if someone asks you which martial art or combat sport you train or compete in, the easiest-to-understand answer you can give is Kickboxing. If they need clarification, you can tell them Full Contact Kickboxing!

Benny ‘The Jet’ Urquidez.

Don ‘The Dragon’ Wilson.

The prestige of Full Contact Kickboxing

Full Contact Kickboxing demands the highest degree of technical skill, physical conditioning and cerebral discipline. While several sports today allow their competitors to kick, Full Contact Kickboxing can be easily distinguished by the newcomer to combat sports in several ways: while sports such as Muay Thai and MMA allow kicks to the legs of opponents, and knees to the body and head, Full Contact Kickboxers must rely on their technical expertise by throwing all of their kicks above the waist (kicks below the waist are not allowed). Elbows, knees and grappling of any kind are also prohibited in Full Contact Kickboxing; the athlete must win the bout purely with kicking and punching, i.e. Kickboxing techniques.

This rules system demands a tremendous level of skill, conditioning and expertise that make Full Contact Kickboxing fights spectacular and exciting; the high kicks and combinations on display are not replicated with the same consistency in any other sport. There is not a more thrilling fight possible than when two world class Full Contact Kickboxers meet in the ring.

Full Contact Kickboxing mandates that competitors wear long Full Contact Kickboxing pants/trousers, which are indicative of the sport’s roots in traditional Martial Arts. These long pants distinguish Kickboxing from Boxing, in which competitors wear shorts. The rules of Full Contact Kickboxing also protect the fighters from unnecessary injury; the sport respects its athletes and prioritizes their safety. Boxing gloves protect the fighter’s hands from superficial skin and bone damage, as well as providing that protection to their opponent’s head and body. It only stands to reason that the same provisions are taken with the legs. In some other combat sports, fighters wear gloves on their hands but no protective equipment on their feet or legs. This practice is unnecessarily dangerous to the athletes and looks incomplete from the viewer’s perspective. This is why competition-regulation kick boots and shin guards are mandatory in Full Contact Kickboxing. The fighters’ protective equipment on their hands, feet and shins – as well as the rules prohibiting brutal bone-on-bone contact such as elbow and knee strikes – enforces uniformity, safety and spectacular fighting that represents martial artistry and sportsmanship at the highest level.

The emergence of the various kick-punch fight sports in the public eye caused some dissention and ‘style-vs.-style’ arguments in the Martial Arts community. It has often been documented that in 1988, a young Rick Roufus (who went on to be regarded as one of the greatest Kickboxers of all time) was caught off-guard by the low leg-kicks of Muay Thai fighter Changpuek Kiatsongrit in a bout allowing ‘low kicks’ in Las Vegas, Nevada USA. Roufus went on to win World Championship bouts in International Rules and K-1 Rules matches that allowed low kicks, in addition to six World Titles in Full Contact Kickboxing, but he did suffer significant damage to his legs in the bout with Kiatsongrit in 1988. This bout is often cited as an endorsement for Muay Thai as a superior art/sport. However, those who endorse this sentiment tend to ignore (some perhaps are unaware) that American Full Contact Kickboxers such as Benny Urquidez and Don Wilson had defeated Muay Thai fighters during their careers, without being significantly impacted by their opponents’ low kicks. This was before the Roufus vs. Kiatsongrit bout.

In the years since, a historically important bout took place in 2006 when Full Contact Kickboxing World Champion Massimo Brizi of Italy travelled to Thailand for a Muay Thai World Title bout. Brizi defeated his Thai opponent, Yodheca, and became Muay Thai World Champion. Full Contact Kickboxing and Muay Thai are both great arts; the individual fighters make the difference to the outcome of a bout. The style-vs-style arguments miss the point; Bruce Lee encouraged that Martial Artists utilize what works ‘for them’ from the various Martial Arts they study. He professed: ‘Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless and add what is essentially your own.’

Massimo ‘The Iceman’ Brizi.

Massimo Brizi in World Title fight.

THE INTERCONTINENTAL KICK THAI BOXING ASSOCIATION (IKTA) FULL CONTACT RULES AND REGULATIONS

In IKTA Full Contact bouts, we showcase the martial artistry and thrilling action that are signatures of the sport, and we prioritize the safety of the athletes.

Massimo Brizi,World Champion, IKTA Italia/Vice World President

The Intercontinental Kick Thai Boxing Association (IKTA) is an international combat sports federation that promotes and organizes combat sports events such as Kickboxing and Muay Thai. Founded in 2012 in Mexico (President Marco Ghibaudo), branches were subsequently created in South America, Asia, Africa and Europe. Co-author James Turner is one of four Black Belts personally certified by Full Contact World Champion and IKTA Italia/Vice World President, Massimo Brizi. In the United Kingdom, James represents the IKTA as its Great Britain President, as well as being an international supervisor for the association.

IKTA.

James Turner and Massimo Brizi.

Fighters’ attire/equipment

Fighters wear Full Contact Kickboxing long pants, boxing gloves, kick boots, shin guards, groin guards and mouthpieces. Male competitors are bare torso while female competitors wear sports bras/chest protectors.

Legal techniques

All Boxing techniques are permitted along with all kicking techniques above the waist and sweeps that are boot-to-boot only. Punches and kicks are to be aimed to the front and sides of the head and body.

Illegal techniques

Kicks below the waist, grabbing or holding the leg, knee strikes, elbow strikes, headbutts, and striking the groin, the back or the back of the head are all illegal manoeuvres. As in the case of Professional Boxing, holding and hitting of any kind is illegal; both hands must be free when executing all techniques.

Andrea ‘The Snake’ Rinaldi.

Fighters’ obligations in the ring

Each fighter must perform only legal techniques with the intention to land the techniques on the legal targets on their opponent’s head and body. Each fighter must make a sincere effort to attempt to land six kicks per round, or they will automatically lose the round. Each fighter must pay attention to and follow the instructions of the referee at all times.

Rounds

Rounds are 2 minutes in duration with 1-minute rest periods between each round.

National Title Fights: five rounds

International Title Fights: five rounds

Continental Title Fights: seven rounds

Intercontinental Title Fights: seven rounds

World Title Fights: nine rounds

Alessio ‘Angel Face’ Crescentini.

Stress and trauma physicians have measured that performing nine 2-minute rounds of Full Contact Kickboxing is equal to the energy expenditure required to complete fifteen 3-minute rounds of Professional Boxing. This can be attributed to the requirement to throw a minimum number of kicks, all above the waist, per round.

Scoring

Scoring is based on the following categories: effective offensive techniques, effective defensive techniques, effective aggression, and ring generalship.

• Effective offensive techniques: punches and kicks scoring cleanly on the front or sides of the opponent’s head or body; punches and kicks that land on the gloves or arms do not count.

• Effective defensive techniques: parrying, blocking, slipping, weaving and footwork. Continual avoidance of contact and repeatedly showing unwillingness to fight does not count, and could lead to point deductions and eventual disqualification.

• Effective aggression: effectively moving towards the opponent and using this aggression to set up effective offensive techniques.

• Ring generalship: effectively controlling the ring, whether offensively or defensively, in order to set up effective offensive techniques. A defensive footwork strategy can be utilized to counter an opponent’s aggressive strategy and will be recognized in the scoring if the fighter is able to execute effective offensive techniques, and defensive techniques if necessary, against their aggressive opponent. The fighter with superior ring generalship is the one who controls the fight.

Three judges at ringside score each round on a 10-point must system: the winner of each round scores 10 points; the loser scores 9 points or less, based on the level of superiority of the winner of the round. A knockdown automatically results in the deduction of a point from the fighter who was knocked down. If the winner of the round does not knock his opponent down, he will win the round 10–9. If the winner of the round knocks his opponent down once, or significantly dominates his opponent without scoring a knockdown, he will win the round 10–8. If the winner of the round knocks his opponent down twice, he will win the round 10–7, and so on.

If the bout is completed to the full scheduled duration without a knockout, the scores for each round by each of the three judges will be tallied, and the weight of majority determines the result.

For example, after nine rounds of fighting, if the three judges return scores of:

Judge 1: 90–81, Judge 2: 89–82 and Judge 3: 90–81, Fighter A wins by unanimous decision.

If the judges return scores of:

Judge 1: 85–84, Judge 2: 84–86 and Judge 3: 84–85, Fighter B wins by split decision.

The IKTA utilizes odd numbers of rounds, such as five, seven and nine rounds for bouts. This decreases the likelihood of a draw occurring, a situation where neither fighter scores more points than the other, preventing a winner from being declared. This is because it is less likely that the fighters can share a number of rounds won throughout the duration of a contest, such as in a fight with an even number of rounds. For example, if a bout was scheduled for eight rounds, and each fighter won four rounds, by scores of 10–9 in every round, the result would be a draw. If the same bout was scheduled for nine rounds, it is likely that one of the two fighters would win the ninth round. This means that one fighter will have won five rounds to four, thus allowing a winner to be decided.

In the less likely event of a draw occurring in an odd-numbered-rounds contest, these are examples of how it could occur:

If the judges return scores of:

Judge 1: 85–85, Judge 2: 84–84 and Judge 3: 85–85, the result is a draw.

If the judges return scores of:

Judge 1: 85–85, Judge 2: 85–85 and Judge 3: 87–84, the result is a majority draw.

If the judges return scores of:

Judge 1: 85–84, Judge 2: 84–85 and Judge 3: 85–85, the result is a split draw.

For these draw results to occur, one or both fighters would ordinarily need to have knocked the other down, or to have dominated the other for periods of the fight, but also losing rounds in the process. Another possibility is that points would have been deducted due to fouls. Essentially, it requires a more complex situation for a draw to occur in an odd-numbered-rounds contest than in an even-numbered-rounds contest, where a competitive fight could result in both fighters winning 50 per cent of the bout by 10–9 scores. An odd-numbered-rounds contest prevents this situation from occurring, and the IKTA’s round system encourages that a winner is determined in each bout.

WEIGHT DIVISIONS

WEIGHT DIVISIONS

57kg/125.66lbs

61kg/134.48lbs

64kg/141.09lbs

67kg/147.71lbs

70kg/154.32lbs

73kg/160.93lbs

76kg/167.55lbs

80kg/176.37lbs

85kg/187.39lbs

90kg/198.41lbs

90kg+

In Title Fights, there is a 0.5kg allowance above the limit of each designated weight division. If a fighter ‘misses weight’ (weighs more than the allowance), then there are three options/possibilities:

1. The fighter does not compete and their opponent wins automatically.

If the fighter does choose to compete, the opponent can choose a stipulation:

2. The fighter agrees to compete with the acceptance of a monetary fine.

or

3. The fighter agrees to compete with the stipulation that their opponent automatically wins a round for each additional kg weighed in. For example, if the fighter was 3kg overweight, the opponent has already won the first three rounds before the bout begins. Scoring would therefore start from the fourth round, in this example.

KICKBOXING BELT RANKINGS

This system of coloured belt rankings is as prescribed by Master Massimo Brizi, IKTA Italia/Vice World President. In addition to his legendary fighting career, winning twenty-two Professional World Title Fights, Master Brizi has been an innovator of the sport. As well as promoting international IKTA fight events, he has pioneered a comprehensive grading system that ensures IKTA Kickboxing students ascend in rank according to technical proficiency, practical experience and psychological maturity. Instructors in Italy, England and the United States follow this official grading system:

Yellow belt

Orange belt

Green belt

Blue belt

Brown belt

Black belt