text: which is best for real life situations, karate or boxing? hello. first im going to state that im not out looking for a fight. i m erely want to learn these for self defense and to defend my loved ones if they were ever to be in trouble. which will mostly like be best to learn if you were to get in a fight with someone who has no training in any art of fighting or whatever but may be a good street fighter...thanks guys... i live in a small town and all im limited to is karate,taekwondo,or boxing...which is best? thanks... lern them all. thay all are excilint for wot you have avalibel to you. the best fighters are not limited to one styel. chances are that your foe has chosen to fight becouse that is wot he knoes how to do. so round your self and be open to all posibell situashions.