I was thinking about the various fists used in wing chun, and the boxing counterparts...just for shits and giggles...here's what I came up with. I realize the punches aren't exactly the same in terms details like power generation, the precise angles, linking, and etc....but from a general standpoint I'm figuring based on the closest equivelent (the = symbol should be considered "is likened to")
Chung choi = jab / straight / cross
Wang choi = hook
Chou choi = uppercut
Joong lo choi = body shovel hook
Chaap choi = low jab / low straight to body
I realize that these punches aren't exactly the same but it at least illustrates that wing chun does indeed have the tools necessary to do the job that some people are thinking boxing should be added for.
That said...most of the stuff from average folks seems to be mostly flailing around with bad technique, bad balance, bad everything. They go into a fish-on-land mode where they're just flopping around and trading shots. Whereas the average boxer will still be trying to do what he trains to do while maintining composure and control.
So this begs to question...why isn't "wing chun boxing" more effective for the average wing chun practicitioner? I realize that many here consider their wing chun to be a step above the average person's, so that being the case--why can't the average WC man perform as well as the average boxer in terms of fists? Why are the WC punches not as natural looking, as powerful, or as precise as the boxer's?
In thinking about this, one of the things I've found about my personal iteration of wing chun over other people's that I've come across is that my punching method is more natural. Meaning that the punches are simply whipping forward, sideways, upwards, and etc, as I need them. I don't fret too much about whether my stance is perfectly angled, or whether the weight is on the balls or the heels, or whether my body is completely square facing in between exchanges. I make sure I'm balanced at all times, my feet are shoulder width, I make sure to try and use both hands at the same time--where one is attacking and the other is supporting or opening a path for the next punch.
In terms of training; hitting focus mitts using wing chun is only different from the respect that the elbow is down, and punches originate from the center or from where they were last in terms of combinations and the chin up inward with the head straight. Power of course still comes from the ground (albeit I'm more flat footed with wing chun ma). I train wing chun kuen on the heavy bag, much in the same way I train in boxing. Again taking into consideration the style's differences in punching rules and stance/structure (elbows down, vertical fist, heels, joint linking, etc etc). I also don't use boxing gloves when using wing chun styled punches on the bag, either using light MMA styled bag gloves. Wall bag is done with no gloves.
I do also train more classically, with all the boxing sets, the dummy, punching and kicking in the air, basic partner drills, weapon drills (don't have the weapon sets in their entirety yet). So since I consider myself just average WC guy, what makes mine seemingly more successful in my sparring over another average guy's? Perhaps I'm just boxing and calling it wing chun? lol (that's a joke btw).
Anyway...just a question I was thinking about to myself. I thought I'd share.