Kickboxing (in Japanese キックボクシング kikkubokushingu) refers to a group of martial arts and stand-up combat sports based on kicking and punching, historically developed from karate, Muay Thai and western boxing. Kickboxing is often practiced for self-defense, general fitness, or as a contact sport.

Japanese kickboxing originates in the 1960s, with competitions held since the 1960s. American kickboxing originates in the 1970s. Japanese kickboxing developed into K-1 in 1993. Historically, kickboxing can be considered a hybrid martial art formed from the combination of elements of various traditional styles. This approach became increasingly popular since the 1970s, and since the 1990s, kickboxing has contributed to the emergence of mixed martial arts via further hybridization with ground fighting techniques from jujutsu and professional wrestling.

There is no single international governing body. International governing bodies include World Association of Kickboxing Organizations, World Kickboxing Association, International Sport Karate Association, International Kickboxing Federation, World Kickboxing Federation, World Kickboxing Network, among others. Consequently there is no single kickboxing world championship, and champion titles are issued by individual promotions, such as K-1, It's Showtime, Lumpinee Boxing Stadium, among others.

Since kickboxing is a broad term that can be used both in a wide and narrow sense. This can make understanding the history somewhat difficult.

Some of the earliest forms of kickboxing included the various Indochinese martial arts especially muay boran, which developed into modern muay thai.

However in terms of modern competition, it was during the 1950's that a Japanese karateka named Tatsuo Yamada. First established an outline of a new sport that combinded karate and muay thai.

This was further explored during the early 1960's, when competitions between karate and muay thai began. Which allowed for rule modifications to take place. So that by the middle of the decade the first true kickboxing events were being held in Osaka.

By the 1970's and 1980's the sport had expanded beyond Japan and had reached North America and Europe. It was during this time that many of the most prominent governing bodies were formed.

·         In Japan the sport was widely popular and was regularly broadcasted on television. Before going into a dark period during the 1980's.

·         In North America the sport had unclear rules so, kickboxing and full contact karate were essentially the same sport.

·         In Europe the sport found marginal success but did not thrive until the 1990's.

Since the 1990's the sport has been mostly dominated by the Japanese K-1 promotion. With some competition coming from other promotions and mostly pre-existing governing bodies.

Along with the growing popularity in competition, there has been a increased amount of participation and exposure in the mass media, fitness, and self-defense.