Why Kickboxers Fear Muay Thai

Back in the late 1980s, all of America was convinced that no martial art could match the striking power of kickboxing.If you wanted to see the absolute best the sport had to offer, you looked at one man, Rick Rufus.To the American fans, Rufus wasn't just a champion, he was a living legend in 10 -ounce gloves, and the idea of him losing wasn't even a possibility.The man chosen to face him was a Thai fighter named Chang Puek Kiatsongrit.

At the time, nobody in America took Muay Thai seriously.American fans looked at Chang Puek and saw an easy win.Chang Puek managed to get back to his feet, but he hadn't fully recovered.Sensing the finish, Rufus charged right back in.He cornered the Thai fighter and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches, throwing one nasty shot after another.The beating was completely one -sided, and Chang Puek was saved only by the sound of the bell.

In the second round, Chang Puek knew he had to change his tactics.Because the rules banned elbows and knees, two of the most crucial weapons in Muay Thai, he decided to rely entirely on his deadly low kicks.

Almost immediately, it became clear that Rufus had no idea how to defend against them.The American champion started running in circles and backing away, sometimes desperately grabbing Chang -Pek's leg, just to escape the agonizing pain.

By the third round, Rufus stopped even trying to counterattack.He spent the entire time backing up and running away.He tried to clinch to save himself, but there was nothing he could do.The low kicks were simply too fast and too brutal.By the fourth round, Rufus's legs completely gave out.The pain from the low kicks was too much to bear.

He could barely stand, alone fight.

and had no choice but to try and run.But it was over.Chung Phuoc won, destroying the American superstar and proving the power of Muay Thai.