I think his point and I am not speaking for the gent and could be wrong is that the cultivation of proper mechanics is not the sole source of one cultural system or one groups way of thinking on what is the "correct".

Personally I believe that fighting is not dictated by a set styles specific conditioning but more about the psychological root of confrontation. That is why for me I do not 100% really buy into the this is better than that general conception of training. In the end I think it all boils down to the situation and not from the viewpoint of the boxer or the gung fu man or the persilat or the judoka.

btw- is trading places like one of the best movies ever or what.