Why Boxers Clinch and How Muay Thai Fighters Clinch To Win

The strategies of the clinch and the reasons for using it are different for each combat sport. Since Mixed Martial Arts combines so many combat sports, we are going to examine the differences between the clinch as it is used in boxing and the clinch used in Muay Thai fighting.

In the sport of boxing, the clinch is used for one basic reason.
The main reason boxers clinch is to break the other fighter's momentum. When a boxer is on the offensive, his opponent may cover up in an effort to avoid getting hit. If the advancing boxer continues to strike his opponent, he will certainly inflict a fair amount of damage and the defending fighter may not be able to counter strike. The striker is now in control and the fight could take a nasty turn unless the fighter being beaten can change the momentum in his favor.


A common tactic that boxers employ is the clinch position. By stepping forward and throwing his arms around his opponent, the attack will stop momentarily. While in the boxing clinch, the defender leans into his opponent and lays his weight into him. It is very difficult for either fighter to throw an effective boxing punch while in the clinch and fight fans typically do not appreciate the tactic because it's not very exciting to watch.
The referee won't let fighters clinch for long, but there's really not much he can do other than break the fighters apart. Excessive clinching may earn points deductions after a few warnings, but this is a rare event.

Thai Boxing and Why You Need to Use Muay Thai Shin Guards

It is essential that you wear Muay Thai shin guards if you are starting Thai boxing. Of all the martial arts Thai boxing is particularly aggressive. Modern MMA uses a large number of Thai boxing techniques because they are so powerful.
Brief History of Thai Boxing
The name means "The Science of Eight Limbs" because it uses many points of contact including punches, elbows, knees and kicks. This is why it is so dangerous and why Thai boxing equipment such as head guards and muay Thai shin guards need to be worn at all times while training.

It is hard to put an exact date from where the martial art dates back to as it has evolved slowly over the last 2000 years. Like most martial arts, it was introduced as a form of unarmed combat for when the soldiers lost their weapons in battle. Thailand's first boxing ring was made in 1921. Although they did were boxing gloves for fights, after a death in the ring it was decided that fighters should also were covers for the feet and ankles as well and the first kind of Muay Thai shin pads were introduced.