crazyjoe, you've done your homework. I think alot of things can be said of many arts - watching for instructors who never demonstrate etc. For closed hand strikes, I would rather use boxing. The right cross is more powerful than the reverse punch and recovers faster. When I first started boxing, my coach could tell that I was formerly TKD/karate based. The right cross explodes and once it penetrates its target its brought back to your cheek in a quick yet relaxed fashion. The reverse punch, comes out with a lot of power, with the other hand pulled to the waist for additional power, but leaves your entire left side exposed. THis is bad if someone hits you at the same time. The open hand strikes of karate seem to be good for striking vital areas.
I agree with the last post that says karate weighs heavily on power rather than speed/fluidity. Joe Lewis (the kickboxer) fought a traditional karate guy in the 70's and used boxing tactics, with karate kicks to knock the karate guy out. This match had the same effect on traditional martial arts at that time as Royce Gracie had in the eary 90's. The traditional karate guys were stunned because they believed that they could take out anyone from their years of training and here comes's this guy with four basic punches and a few kicks who devistates their champ.
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