Background and Study Aim: Despite being classified into one group of combat sports, boxing and karate are two different disciplines, differing in both the technical skills required and the psychological aspects. Taking into account the insufficient interest of researchers in this issue, the aim of this study is knowledge about the difference between elite boxing and karate athletes in terms of affective temperament, styles of coping with stress and cognitive abilities, with particular emphasis on frontal functions. Material and Methods: The sample of 52 elite combat sports male athletes, divided into two groups: boxing (n = 28) and karate (n = 24) were surveyed using self-reported questionnaires to measure affective temperament (Temperament Evaluation of Memphis, Pisa, Paris and San Diego Autoquestionnaire, TEMPS-A), coping styles (Coping Inventory for Stressful Situations, CISS), and neuropsychological tests for assess cognitive functions (Trail Making Test, TMT; The Stroop Color and Word Test, SCWT). Results: In both disciplines, the hyperthymic temperament traits and problem-focused coping were the most prevailing. Karate competitors showed significantly higher levels of depressive temperament. Boxers achieved a higher reading speed (shorter time in the part A of Stroop test) than karate athletes. No significant differences between sports were observed in coping styles and executive functions (the TMT and part B of SCWT tests). Conclusions: Boxers and karate athletes differ in affective temperament traits and cognitive functions. However, regardless of the discipline, athletes prefer task-based ways of coping with stress. Applying these findings to specific groups of athletes may provide important information on the psychological aspects of training in these two sports. However, this issue requires further research in a complementary approach.
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