Kickboxers as Sparring Partners & Competitors in Boxing

[HomicideHenry]

I seem to recall Peter Fury saying back in 2015 that he used kickboxers as sparring partners for Tyson Fury, along with credentialed pro & amateur boxers, in preparation for Wladimir Klitschko. According to Peter they were tough enough to handle the task even if they weren't as skillful.

Anyone know of kickboxers who spar with pros?

I do know several who fought boxing matches in combination with their kickboxing stuff, like Rick Roufus, but it does seem to be a rarity for them to go beyond journeyman status. Holly Holm originally was a kickboxer, as was Mia St. John, and they became champions. Vitali Klitschko was quite the dominate force in kickboxing until he lost to Pele Reid--- and Reid himself had mixed success as a pro boxer.

[tsunami]

Rico verhoeven was one of the sparring partners. Heard it on a podcast

[Oiky]

There's a few kickboxers who've fought in boxing, so inevitably sparred plenty of pro boxers

Nieky hozken, roberto cocco, nick friese, sittichai, to name a few, these guys weren't brought in as such to spar boxers in camp but actually fought boxing themselves so obviously trained with boxers at there gyms

[goose 5]

Mikkel Kessler sparred with kickboxers.

[mickey1975]

A guy I know is undefeated world champion. He’s just packed it in to box on our amateur show! I’ve no idea of the legitimacy of his title but he is poo hot.

[leejonesjnr]

A guy I know is undefeated world champion. He’s just packed it in to box on our amateur show! I’ve no idea of the legitimacy of his title but he is poo hot.

Who?

[Steveh583]

A guy I know is undefeated world champion. He’s just packed it in to box on our amateur show! I’ve no idea of the legitimacy of his title but he is poo hot.

There's a shit ton of "world" kick boxing titles. If you think boxing has it bad you've no idea mate, basically every city has an organisation with a "world" champ.i don't mean that disrespectfully to your fighter obv, but kick boxing is just ludicrous with regards to belts and trophies.

[leejonesjnr]

A guy I know is undefeated world champion. He’s just packed it in to box on our amateur show! I’ve no idea of the legitimacy of his title but he is poo hot.

There's a poo ton of "world" kick boxing titles. If you think boxing has it bad you've no idea mate, basically every city has an organisation with a "world" champ.i don't mean that disrespectfully to your fighter obv, but kick boxing is just ludicrous with regards to belts and trophies.

Kickboxing in the UK is utter nonsense.
I once went to a show in Birmingham with not one but four World title fights.... In a working mens club.... with eight competitors all from Birmingham....
A 'respected' (ISKA, IKF, WAKO Pro) kickboxing World title held by a Brit is approximately area title level in pro boxing.

[mickey1975]

A guy I know is undefeated world champion. He’s just packed it in to box on our amateur show! I’ve no idea of the legitimacy of his title but he is poo hot.

Who?

Zachary Evans. He’s defend it New York. He’s not even from here, fought on a show here and met a local girl. He has a twin who’s very good, too.

[mickey1975]

Zac just beat 4 time GB champion and England rep in The Harringay Cup in his 5th bout and lost a close one to 105 bout Irish champion in his 6th bout. 5-1 all in elite class now. Worryingly, he’s bumped into a few on the circuit boxing novices who’ve clearly lied about previous combat experience.

[AngryGoon38]

Troy Dorsey was a kickboxer,who then eventually switched to boxing.
He fought a very competitive bout vs Kevin Kelly back in the 1990's.
Randy Tex Cobb did both. Also,Elijah Tillery. He had that wild and amusing bout vs Riddick Bowe,where Rock Newman went into pro-wrasslin manager mode.

[JamesPhilips]

Troy Dorsey was a kickboxer,who then eventually switched to boxing.
He fought a very competitive bout vs Kevin Kelly back in the 1990's.
Randy Tex Cobb did both. Also,Elijah Tillery. He had that wild and amusing bout vs Riddick Bowe,where Rock Newman went into pro-wrasslin manager mode.

Nigel Benn started as a kickboxer. James Warring I think was world champ in both. Vitali was a semi contact fighter I think. Pele Reid was a kick-boxer too and Ko’d Vitali (illegally.) Dillian Whyte. Ray Sefo. A few guys have gone the other way - boxing into K1 - Frans Botha, Butterbean. I think Briggs and Bowe had a crack too.