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Karate can be a highly functional art, but it must be trained towards that goal.

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I think this is the point. The way I see it, boxing sticks to the basics very well. No point in complicating things when the basics work so well, then they get in the ring and fight, a lot.

Karate has said, basics are great, now lets add some layer, lets see what else we can do. Fill in empty beats of time, increase angels and weapons etc.

Both viable approaches, problem Karate has, as I see it. Is they drift away from basics as they add layers, can't do that, you must always make sure your basics are solid or nothing else will work. In other words you must have effective training methods. Seems obvious, but yet there are many out there that gloss over basics and never attain much functional skill.

Boxing does not have that problem, due to it's simplicity you never get far away from the basics, and due to it's "alive" training, if you do stray, you will be quickly reminded. That's a real strength in Boxing in general.

It's interesting Paradox for both Karate and Boxing. What makes it strong, also makes it weak.

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I wouldn't be surprised if the extra athleticism, speed and flexibility of school A's students had them winning half the fights against school B in a knockdown match.

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I would think not. Having the same kick technique is one thing. Hitting a Savy fighter is another.

Athleticism and speed are great things, but if you can make them think, they slow way down and if they are not used to fighting it doesn't take much.

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It's an interesting Paradox for both Karate and Boxing. What makes it strong, also makes it weak.

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Well said, Kimo!

--Chris

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Again, as I've said, if karate is trained toward functional skill (think Ashihara), then the kind of karate would be, on average, the better striking system because it has more possibilities.

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Agreement at last!

Excellent debate all.

Excellent and informative posts!

In my opinion, the debate would be less confusion if let say: compare Goju with Boxing, compare Shotokan with Boxing, etc.

karate, but thats my opion

Well coming from a guy named "Karate_dude" that's hardly a suprise, now is it!

Seriously though, it was a good debate everyone!

--Chris