the way it was explained to me the "circumstance" is most definately NOT fixed. but open to interperetation (sp?)
i think boxing is allot faster though to teach someone how to "fight"
i guess i kind of have mixed feelings about kata. i do think they are fascinating though, who would think to see a finger lock when watching someone perform a down block, for example. learning how to use the techniques contained in kata is another ballgame altogether. one that boxing takes into consideration from day one and does not separate into parts...ie...basics...kata...one steps...kumite.

Lotty dotty everybody,

Let's get off the whole kata arguement,it's not what this thread is about anyways. There's no reason to continually defend kata in the KARATE forum.

agreed Brian,

Lets stick to the topics good people,

simply start fresh threads if you want to. (and if it's kata bashing we can delete them )

I think that kata has a lot to do with the answer to the original question. It certainly had some influence on my decision anyways. It was the reason I chose the boxer over the karateka.

jkogas, i pretty much agree with you for my personal goals. i voted for the boxer for allot of reasons alraedy stated by everyone here. i think the answer really should be to train like a boxer, no matter what art you do. take your art, and do it "alive" as you would say. at least partially...i mean if you wanna swim, you gotta get in the water right?
on the other hand i do think kata do have a wealth of things to teach. yet, i also dont think they can teach you anything a man/woman, or just plain experience couldnt teach you faster. why not just cut to the chase and teach me what it is you want me to learn? i'm sure its good for getting students to learn on their own and what not ...i suppose.
id like to learn more about kata before deciding either way whether or not i like it.
i have done them in tkd, but it was nothing but sport, with no (even bad) applications of the movements at all. and i noticed i developed allot of bad muscle memory, and it was hard not to drop my 'retracting' (if you will) hand when i punched with the other. i guess all people are different though in their preferences. thats a great thing.

Chen,
I can see where that would influence your answer because of the training time you put into it,but then it turned to the what good is kata thread. That is not what this thread is about,originally.

If you guys want to continually argue about it,go ahead,knock your socks off,sheesh.

I just like to bust your chops on the whole thing, what with you being karateka and all.