By John Able (Agent 00316)
Between the two they cover striking, grappling, throws, locks, chokes, strangles and groundwork, giving Bond a comprehensive set of skills that can be applied to most situations. When compared with what we know today about modern fighting, the rise of MMA (mixed martial arts) was down to the gaps found in most traditional arts such as a striker unable to grapple or a grappler who has no experience in dealing with a punch.
Both styles are heavily pressure tested against competitors actively trying to win, which is important for demonstrating a style’s effectiveness.
Boxing uses head movement and covering techniques opposed to blocking as used in more traditional styles. Take Karate for instance; the hands can be at the hip or often in a low stance meaning they have further to travel and therefore are more reliant on distance or a telegraphed attack in order to react effectively.
This isn’t to put down other traditional arts but to point out the effectiveness of boxing at avoiding and minimising damage.
Head movement, for example, can take place before or as a punch is thrown, giving boxers that almost spidey-sense quality of knowing what’s coming before the other fighter appears to act. Covering techniques are also effective due to the hands already being at the chin and, when combined with head movement, this can avoid or lessen the impact of a blow received.
Whilst boxing is restricted by rules and lacks kicking, knee and elbow strikes, it does pressure test in the extreme with close distance, toe to toe fighting using non telegraphed attacks and incorporates uppercuts, hooks and straight punches. Other more rounded styles of striking that are able to maintain distance using kicks are not necessarily as competent at fighting at arm’s length where boxing specialises.
Boxing also makes use of the clinch, often following an exchange or in order for a fighter to avoid getting hit by closing distance, or simply by tying up the other fighter. This nicely crosses over into the realms of grappling and judo.
Many would say that Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is more effective than Judo and while there might be some merit to this, we need to apply the context of James Bond. Firstly the time period is such that things like BJJ or MMA were not so accessible, making the odds of coming up against this type of thing in the field less of a concern. Secondly, Bond doesn’t need to be able to enter and win a BJJ competition, nor does he wish to become entangled on the floor for a long period of time. He simply needs to be competent enough to look after himself on the ground in order to maintain control and as quickly as possible get back to his feet. Although BJJ covers standing techniques it specialises and places more emphasis on ground work, and as the rules of boxing leaves many gaps, Judo nicely rounds these out.
Unlike traditional Japanese Jiu-jitsu or Aikido where training predominantly takes place between a compliant attacker using a predetermined attack in order to practise a technique, and while judo uses the same method of learning, much more emphasis is given to pressure testing throws in a competitive environment. Not only do judoka learn to throw people that don’t want to be thrown, they practise against other judoka who know everything they do. This makes them masters of breaking balance and moving someone one way in order to throw them another.
Unlike sport judo, a military variety in the time period of Fleming’s books would likely involve more locks, in-keeping with traditional judo. As shown in MMA the use of locks, chokes and strangles allow for more compliant control over an attacker and can end a fight quicker than twelve rounds of slugging each other in the face. These techniques can also be used to end a fight without causing harm or long term effects, for example an arm lock could be applied to deter or control someone without actually breaking the arm, but the option is there just the same depending on what the situation calls for. Equally cutting off the blood flow to the brain with a strangle could end a fight without excessive force or permanent harm, unlike a knockout punch which could break bones and or result in death given a bad fall.
This brings me on nicely to the art of breakfalling or learning to fall whilst avoiding injury. This is necessary for repeat practice of throws and the same rolling methods can be seen in today’s parkour or free running. This is vital for Bond to be able to take a fall and get up again unscathed. While you may not think that learning to fall is a necessary skill, often when we trip or slip our instincts tell us to break our fall with outstretched hands and arms. This can result in broken wrists, elbows or even collarbones.
What I love about this combination for Bond is not only does it show a realistic approach to combat way back in the fifties when the books were written but it still very much stands up today in the context of self defence and mixed martial arts.
Last modified: 13 January 2026
