I respect Savate, you guys are slippery and the footwork is top-notch. I’m sure it’s of great use to some martial artists, but I’m surprised anyone would leave Muay Thai for Savate. Savate is more fluid and pretty but I question it’s efficacy against Thai boxing, and thus why anyone would choose it over the latter.

1. Savate tends to employ similar styles of kicking, though, according to Savate rules, must hit with the boot and “with the exclusion of force.”(Londonsavate.co.uk) There is no legal use of knees or shins. That poses a major disadvantage against a Thai boxer. These are our bread and butter.

2. Savate boxers tends to be on the move, bouncing and slipping in and out of range. Thai boxers favor a steady rhythm from a light stance, usually with the front leg ready to block with the shin. From this position, the Thai boxer is a tank. He has only to get in range and attack. He is only threatened by innacurate strikes and ensuing counterattacks.

3. There are no leg traps or clears in Savate. These are standard tricks used against kicks in Muay Thai.
A kick can:
be caught and jerked above the head for a throwdown.
be parried and followed by a shin kick to the standing leg or to the back or head
be trapped and punished with an elbow smash
be trapped and used to guide an opponent into the ropes for a jumping knee or kick to the head
Savate is not prepared for any of these.

3. Savate has no clinch. Once a Thai boxer is too close for kicking or effective punching, his most powerful knockout weapons are drawn–knees and elbows. That’s probably the most effective strategy for a Thai boxer against a Savate. He must cut the ring and back the Savate guy into a corner. Kicks would have to be well-timed and carefully used, since the Savate stylist is slippery and punches well.

For the record, Thai boxers (I can only speak for them here in Thailand.) are also good punchers. Many are world-ranked boxers and champions, all of whom were once Thai boxers. people tend to say Thai boxing is weak on punching. That goes back to the old days when judges did not score “Western” attacks as well as they scored “traditional Thai” techniques. Those days are over. Punching is an integral part of a fighter’s training.
With respect for Savate,
James

Next comment: "There is no way that the french could ha [...]"
Previous comment: "Savate is flourishing in Los Angeles, wi [...]"