When things get going in the street, your not going to think " hey, if i just alter my normal technique like this, then I can do this etc. etc." You are going to do whatever your instinct is. If you have trained over and over and over to punhc, you will punch. On the street, instincts and reactions keep you from being beat down. Boxing is excellent for that, because boxing sparring creates a situation similar to that, not exactly the same, but similar. I've said it before, all styles should incorporate some of the methods of training boxers use. I box, and would face most martial arts stylists anyday, BUT if they trained the same way boxers do, I wouldn't want anything to do with them.