Boxing vs Wrestling: A Fair & Comprehensive Sports Comparison

Today I will pin two of the most iconic disciplines of fighting against each other in the ring… Wrestling vs boxing - the ultimate showdown.

If you're reading this article, you've probably made up your mind to join martial arts or further your career in it, in either case, kudos!

Now…

If you brush through a few websites or ask for the opinion of the disciples of each sport, you will come across remarks describing their field as ‘the best.’

Spoiler alert!!!...

There is no such thing as ‘the best’ when it comes to martial arts.

Each technique is designed to train you in a certain way, and the one that suits your needs better is the most preferable in your case. My point is that I will not declare a winner, instead, I will simply state which form of fighting is better suited for various situations.

Enough pep talk, let’s kick it off.

Main Differences Between Boxing vs Wrestling

The main differences between boxing vs wrestling are:

• Boxing involves punching and avoiding punches, whereas wrestling is pure grappling: takedowns, throws, control and pins, with no strikes allowed.
• In boxing, there is no tackling or throwing, whereas, in wrestling, takedowns are the core of the sport.
• Boxers usually have a defensive approach interspersed with punches, whereas wrestling is more offensive and involves grappling techniques too.
• Boxing has amateur and professional versions, whereas amateur wrestling comes in international styles (freestyle and Greco-Roman) and, in the U.S., folkstyle at school and college level.
• An international wrestling match is two 3-minute periods, whereas a boxing match runs from three rounds (amateur) up to 12 (pro title fights).
• Boxers use padded gloves and mouthguards, whereas wrestlers wear ear guards (headgear) to prevent cauliflower ear.

Comparing The Premises

Both of these are well-reputed and highly competitive fighting sports, however, both are different in several aspects. Let’s start this wrestling vs boxing comparison from the difference in their premises:

Wrestling

Wrestling exists in several forms, each with its own set of rules, however, some generalizations can be made. It is a competitive grappling sport built on takedowns, throws, control and pins. Punches and kicks are not allowed.

Grappling is the whole sport, with the goal of controlling your opponent and scoring points or a pin. There are no strikes, though injuries like sprains and cauliflower ear are common.

The styles and rules vary not only from sport to sport but also among various regions. Several local versions of the game (called folk wrestling) exist too, however, at an international level, the rules are standardized.

Boxing

Boxing involves repeated blows to the head, which wrestling does not. The goal, in this case, is to either knock out the opponent with a decisive punch to the face or score more points by the end of the last round.

Players can only use punches to strike the opponent, and only above the belt, otherwise, they will be penalized. Pro rounds last three minutes; amateur bouts are usually three rounds, while pro fights run from four to 12 rounds.

Although you only use punches, it doesn't necessarily mean that you just wear your mouthguard and gloves for the fight. Kicking is not allowed, but you also have to keep a good balance and your best footwork. So be also mindful of your best shoes for boxing training and fights. Makes proper sense, right? 🙂

In case no one was stopped by the end of the last round, three judges decide the winner based on their scorecards. The scoring principle is simple: hit but don’t get hit.

Verdict

Based on the type of approach that resonates with you, you can make the decision, it is a matter of preference above anything else.

Comparison For Self-Defense

For self-defense, both sports are effective to a certain degree, let’s find out how:

Wrestling

If you've been trained well, you should have no trouble taking care of a street mugger or someone who's had a little too much to drink. A trained wrestler can often take down and restrain an attacker without causing serious injury.

However, wrestling doesn't teach you to deal with punches, which is where boxing helps.

Boxing

As a boxer, you will be able to return a punch for every strike. But in most cases, boxing matches can get nasty and when the same is replicated on a street fight, you might be looking at serious legal repercussions, such as battery charges.

The legal complications may put you in more trouble than you were at the time of the confrontation. Moreover, in a standard fight, both players agree to certain rules but the same cannot be said about a street confrontation.

Verdict

Wrestling is much more practical when it comes to self-defense. No matter how you look at it, in a boxer vs wrestler street fight, the latter is bound to gain the upper hand, but there is a catch: it is also much harder to learn.

Also, in case things go down to a fistfight, a boxer is better prepared to defend against punches. But at the same time, this brutality can come back to haunt you later in the manifestation of legal issues.

Best to avoid a fight when you can. 😉

Comparison For Fitness Training

If we pin wrestling vs boxing for fitness, both will prove equally effective.

The arduous training process in either case is bound to keep you in good shape and improve your health too. Wrestling practice is famously grueling, but it is pretty doable once you get the hang of it.

Bottom Line: Which One To Choose?

When it comes to a boxer vs wrestler street fight (not two players pinned against each other but individually involved in a confrontation), nothing is predictable. A crook or a drunk offender will not play by any rules, and it is best to neutralize them quickly and escape.

Both sports are ancient; boxing and wrestling were both events at the ancient Greek Olympics. Wrestling has evolved into many folk and international styles, while modern boxing rules are more uniform.

Ideally, you'd want to learn both of them, but if you have to learn one in a short period, boxing is the way to go, however, if you can dedicate enough time, wrestling will be very rewarding.

Sources

• Olympic Wrestling Rules, United World Wrestling
• Unified Boxing Rules, Association of Boxing Commissions