Are you serious here? That line just caught my eye and I'm scratching my head like, whaaat..
I said I was stepping out of the 'real fight' arguments because they are kinda silly when we're doing it online.
I'll say this:
If you train to fight, in any art, there is overlap. No matter what you train, certain things will always get better. Reflex, strength, pain threshold, and being in a state of heightened adrenaline more often (ears pounding, heart racing, feels like your lifting off the ground) teaches you how to handle and utilize that state. Learning to throw a proper punch (arts all go about it differently, but the end result is the same, you hit harder and faster than someone thats untrained). You may be equipped with knowledge of grappling so if they grab you, you dont panic and flop around like an idiot, etc.
Traditional Martial Arts will teach you those things. So will Boxing (Thai or American). So will grappling arts, etc. And yes, American Boxing, if trained for self defense will have some work with grappling, or should. Even if not there are little things you learn for clinch situations that work effectively for BASIC 'guy grabs you' situations. Though, really, the most important thing to know is that the head controls the body. Muay Thai clinch work is AMAZING for this.
So. My statement that traditionals are a laughable joke in a real fight was more vague than it should have been. I will clarify.
You, as a traditional martial artist will have advantages due to your training over people who have not trained. But if you try to use the ART in the fight, you will get rolled over. A street fight is chaos. There are no stances. If you try anything beyond low kicks the other guy is likely going to just tackle your ass. if you use the PRINCIPLES of traditional arts, its fine. If you use the *ART* side of the equation, you are not fine. I have seen it from both angles personally. Rely on the physical advantages and bio-mechanical knowledge you have gained through training and you will be fine. Try to rely on complicated stances and techniques and unless you vastly outskill your opponent, you can be run over and overwhelmed by a guy throwing straight rights that knows how to punch.
That is, in a nut shell what I meant. I'm not going to rehash my opinions on what art/style/whatever is 'best' because we can all argue that until we piss ourselves and it will resolve nothing.
Finally, to clarify for the last time: If you fight with the 'Art' in Traditionals, or try to do fancy kung-fu movie none-sense you will get shit on.
