In Thai Muay Kaad Chuek, Bound-Fist Boxing was developed from Bare-Fist Muay and no one can really tell since when. Fighters began to wrap their hands for 2 reasons; extra strength while attacking and to protect their fingers and wrists from damages. But that was long before boxing gloves were first invented.
Kaad Chuek was bound around the palm and back of the hand and wrist. Occasionally the fighters bind it around the lower forearm and infrequently even up to the elbow.
In the past, coils or “whorls” were inserted under the Kaad Chuek on the back of the knuckles to make the fists more dangerous and even deadly that could cause seriously injured wounds. Lots of boxers in the past were killed by Muay Kaad Chuek and Bare-Fist boxing.
Today brutal Muay Kaad Chuek is abandoned since 1923. However, as traditional, every year in the north of Thailand many fighters from Thailand and Burma come to an event which Bound-Fist Boxing has taken place for hundreds of years. Apart from this event, there are also some underground bound-fist boxing fights.
Kaad Chuek Muay is totally different from gloved boxing. Since it has been illegal in Thailand for a long time because of its ugly consequences from using it, not many people want to learn this type of Muay anymore. Professional boxers, for example from Lumpini or Rachadamnuen Stadiums, do not want to participate in Muay Kaad Chuek because of less money earned and much more serious injuries gained.
Next time, I will talk about hand wraps today and teach you how to use ones.
See you next time at MuayThaiSport.com/blog!