Kickboxing

The term kickboxing was coined by Osamu Noguchi, a Japanese boxing promoter in the 1950s.
There are several martial arts labeled kickboxing including Japanese kickboxing (Similar to Muay Thai), American kickboxing, Adithada (Indian kickboxing), Lethwei (Burmese kickboxing), as well as Savate (French kickboxing).
Kickboxing is often confused with Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). But in Thai Boxing, kicks below the belt are allowed, as are strikes with knees and elbows.
Kickboxing can be practiced for general physical fitness, or as a full-contact sport.
In full contact Kickboxing, the male boxers are usually bare chested and wear shorts and protective gear including a mouth-guard, hand-wraps, 10-oz. boxing gloves, groin-guard, shin-pads, kick-boots, and sometimes a protective helmet.

For more information go here:
http://www.kickboxing.com/