Agree with TaijiBob
Taiji training can be very effective in 5 years of study( If you learn from the right master) The remaining time of study is perfecting.
The kind of perfecting that you will never get in Kickboxing or a "street-wise" style.
I totally agree that the "cage" is a barberic display of greedy testosterone. It's about money and ego, Exactly the opposite of good character. Taiji and gongfu teaches good character.
This should be clear and anyone who practice taiji or good gongfu knows that patience is a virtue.
The real difference is a 60 year old Taiji practitioner will still kick royal butt where no one else will.
"If we dont worry then nothing shall worry us, only then shall we be of sound mind"