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Michel Casseux (1794-1869) was a pharmacist who did much to develop the French martial art of savate (pronounced ‘sa-vat’), also known as boxe Française, or ‘French boxing.’

Evolving out of Parisian street fighting techniques that were, for whatever reason, particularly popular with sailors—including high kicks and ‘slaps’ rather than punches (to avoid the legal penalty for using a closed fist)—savate (the French for ‘old shoe’ or ‘old boot’—presumably a useful piece of footwear to wear during combat) was given a number of rules by Casseux, such as no headbutting, biting, or eye gouging.

A savate practitioner (if male, known as a savateur; savateuse, if female) was at something of an advantage when facing a boxer, as savate made—and continues to make—free use of such ‘standard’ martial arts’ leg techniques as a roundhouse kick. (Only the feet may be used when kicking; knees and shins are strictly forbidden.)