Kickboxing is a combat sport that has its roots in various traditional martial arts. The origins of kickboxing can be traced back to the 19th century in Japan, where the art of karate was developed. Karate is a style of martial arts that primarily involves striking with the hands and feet, and its techniques eventually evolved into a more modern form of combat that came to be known as full contact karate.

Full contact karate was first introduced in Japan in the 1960s, and it quickly became popular in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States. Full contact karate matches were held in a ring, with fighters wearing gloves and protective equipment, and the matches were scored based on the number of strikes and knockdowns.

In the early 1970s, a new form of combat sport called kickboxing emerged in Japan. Kickboxing was essentially a combination of full contact karate and Muay Thai, a traditional martial art from Thailand that involves striking with the hands, feet, knees, and elbows.

The first official kickboxing match was held in 1970, and it quickly gained popularity in Japan and other parts of Asia. Kickboxing matches were held in a ring, with fighters wearing gloves and protective equipment similar to that used in full contact karate.

Kickboxing eventually made its way to the United States in the 1970s, where it became popular with martial arts enthusiasts and began to be incorporated into other combat sports, such as mixed martial arts (MMA).

Today, kickboxing is a popular sport around the world, with many organizations promoting both amateur and professional competitions. It continues to evolve and incorporate new techniques, and its popularity is a testament to its effectiveness and appeal as a combat sport.