Boxing - Kickboxing

Kickboxing is a blend of number of sports. Officially it is a sporting martial art and is similar to boxing. The difference from boxing is that in kickboxing hands as well as feet are used. Kickboxing is a full contact sport.

Kickboxing is suppose to have originated in Japan and is a mixture of taekwondo, boxing and karate. There are three styles of kickboxing namely the Japanese style, American style and European style.
In the Japanese style, there are five rounds of three minutes each. Opponents can attack each other with elbows and knees. Players are allowed to attack below the belt but not in the crotch. No head butts, pushes and throws are allowed in the Japanese style of kickboxing.
In American kickboxing, players can attack each other using hands and fists. They can attack only above the hip and are not allowed to use elbows and knees. The use of shin is restricted. The rules are decided between the fighters and promoters before starting a match. American kickboxing has anywhere between ten to twelve rounds and each round lasts for two to three minutes. There is a one minute rest between each round.
European style of kickboxing has five rounds of three minutes each. Opponents are not allowed to attack with the thighs or knees. In the European style, players are allowed to attack below the belt but not in the crotch area. No pushing or head-butting is allowed.
Kickboxing is an extremely popular sport and many people are opting for it because of the fitness it can provide.