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Currently Playing: How Did Savate Turn from Street-Fighting to a Gentleman's Sport?

#Savate #FrenchKickboxing #MartialArtsHistory Savate history is one of the most overlooked chapters in European martial arts. Often called French kickboxing or French boxing, Savate developed in 19th-century France from street fighting traditions before becoming a regulated combat sport. Savate isn’t just “French Kickboxing.” It’s a 200-year-old martial art shaped by street violence, aristocratic reform, and modern sport. In the dockyards of Marseille and the alleyways of Paris, sailors and street fighters developed brutal kicking methods known as Chausson. Later, masters like Michel Casseux transformed it into a codified system of self-defense and fencing-inspired striking. Despite appearing as a demonstration sport at the 1924 Olympics, Savate declined in global influence while arts like Muay Thai and Kickboxing rose to prominence. In this video, we explore: • The origins of Savate and French street fighting • How footwear became central to its tactics • Its transformation from criminal violence to gentlemanly sport • How war and globalisation reshaped its survival If you enjoyed this episode, check out the next video on: 'Bartitsu: Victorian Krav Maga?' https://youtu.be/7czZ23zkdqg Recommended Reading: Savate: A Comprehensive Guide to a European Martial Art and Modern Combat Sport eBook: https://amzn.to/46D6IUD Paperback: https://amzn.to/4kNO4j7 La Canne de Combat eBook: https://amzn.to/4qt4QFi