Best striking art?

[Grahf1]

Is it boxing, muay thai, kickboxing, or kung fu?

I've heard that although boxing is much easier and quicker to learn than Kung Fu, it doesn't have as much depth.

[Mr. Miyagi]

That probably depends on the martial artist and their teacher. I'd say that boxing and muy thai are probably better bets because there is actual sparring involved and there is no substitute for that. If kung fu, karate, and tae kwon do involved more rigorous methods of testing (like actual combat), then I'd say differently.

[Robbie]

I'd say Muay Thai.Mainly because you learn to work the clinch andyou use all parts of your body.

[Grahf1]

Don't you guys think the best striking arts for grapplers to cross train in are the ones that use mostly hands? IMO grapplers should never extend their legs to their opponent.

[Grahf1]

One thing that turns me off about Muay Thai is that ppl say the training is way too hard.

[Oldskulbus]

I hate how all these martial arts make me train. The other day I accually broke a sweat with my training!

[Slider]

LOL

[Domingo]

Are you looking to learn a striking art to suppliment a grappling background, a complete fighting art, or just something to do?
Either way, the striking arts that going to be most effective in NHB or street defense systems are boxing, muay thai, hard core Karate (Kyokushin, Seido Kaikan, Shidokan), San Shou (It has throws, too), or maybe even one of those all-in-one self-defense arts like Krav Maga or Kajukenbo.

[Jaguar Wong]

If you're looking to develop some killer striking ability within a reasonable amount of time, I would think that Muay Thai, or boxing would give you the tools you need. You learn the basics of power generation (proper technique) at about the same time as you would in traditional kung fu or karate, and you would also spend time developing power with bag work (probably more so in boxing and muay thai, but it depends on the school/gym you go to). But on average the boxing/muay thai gyms focus more on developing the timing and distancing that you need to use them, so you learn that part quicker. Traditional styles tend to be more indepth (with footwork, jointlocks, more techniques, etc), and unfortunately it is very hard to find a traditional school that trains in a more live manner, or to the same level that you would find at a boxing/muay thai gym.

If you're talking about sheer striking power, Kung Fu has some stuff that I haven't seen anywhere else, but it does take a lot of time and hard work to develop. For example, holding one of those big kicking shields, most people don't have the power to make someone feel a good roundhouse kick, but holding the shield for someone that trained a little Muay Thai, I got the wind knocked out of me with a rear leg shin kick. But, holding the shield for one of my Sifus, he knocked the wind out of me with an elbow from very close range (near clinching range). That was kind of a shock when I saw him do it consistently for other people holding the shield. I've never really seen it used as much as I have seen boxing or Muay Thai, so I can't say how effective it would be. I would think that kind of speed and power would really be useful, but if you don't learn the timing and feel that you get from actual sparring, then it probably won't be any good.

I think whatever style you choose, it has to be trained correctly (by you, and your instructor/school) to be effective. There is no quick and easy answer, because boxing, and muay thai may be quick, but they ain't anywhere near easy. You'll basically get what you put in. If you've got time, then I suggest one of the internal kung fu styles like Hsing I (no nonsense straight forward striking art). If you're looking to compete in MMA, then it's boxing or Muay Thai.

[Maxximus]

I have a wide range of influences in striking training. i think all the styles have their strong points and useful aspects, but for basic skills and a good foundation, nothing beats a balanced mixture of Muay thai and boxing. Go to your local boxing gym.

[Underdog]

I stand 100% with Maxximus. Nothing beat a combination of boxing punches with thai kicks, elbows and knees...

[PassiveGuy]

If you do Muay Thai, work on some real street situations like wrist grabs, headlocks, knife defences... Not that you'll be able to perform that series of defences against a street thug grabing your hair, but it'll help. Anyway, IMO its all about the training buddy, sparring, reaction drills, power drills, all VERY important in striking. Arts that don't include these are lacking and not TOO good for MMA.

[5x5]

if you can't use your dim mak then i agree 100% with maximus...nothing beats a base of muay Thai and western boxing skills for standup...well except as i said before the death touch of dim mak...