What is Filipino Boxing?

Filipino Boxing means different things to different people. For example, some consider Filipino Boxing as strictly a striking art, while others include grappling in their expression of the art. The art also goes by many names. It is also referred to as Dirty Boxing, Panantukan, Suntukan, Pangamot, etc. At its essence, Filipino Boxing is an empty-hand self-defense system whose techniques are derived from the use of weapons, such as sticks and knives, in Filipino Martial Arts ("FMA").

My understanding of Filipino Boxing comes primarily from training under numerous well-regarded FMA instructors. I have also gained an appreciation of the art from spending countless hours studying books and videos on the discipline. I have also been fortunate to be able to experiment and explore the use of Filipino Boxing techniques with my training partners and students.

My personal expression of Filipino Boxing is a combination of traditional Western Boxing, limb destructions (strikes to arms and legs), and techniques that are explicitly banned from the sport of Boxing, such as head butts, rabbit punches, low blows, holding and hitting, etc. It is an empty-hands striking art meant primarily for street self-defense and not combat sports.

For more information on Filipino Boxing, check out Daniel Sullivan's web site.

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