Martial Arts and Letting Go

The better the feeling 
the harder it is to let go.

Many years ago I saw a boxer have a go at kickboxing.
He had 22 knockouts to his unbeaten record. His opponent was a kickboxer with two fights for two wins.
I knew I was about to see something interesting but wasn't sure what.
In the opening seconds the boxer danced around and flicked a jab out. The Kickboxer watched.
The boxer danced and I remember thinking, "This guy can move".
Then it happened. The boxer faked a shot to the stomach then delivered the cleanest right hand I've ever seen.
I don't think I've ever seen such a knock out.

The blow was so effective they called all the judges in so that we could carry him out without damaging his spinal vertebrae.
The crowd was shocked ... as were the judges, referee and opposition cornermen.

Three months later the boxer stepped into the ring for the second time against another Kickboxer.
Same start to the fight.
Different finish.
The boxer on his toes. The Kickboxer watching. The boxer looking to deliver the crushing blow again.
The Kickboxer was ready this time. (He had obviously watched the first fight)
The kickboxer moved forward and established a "top lock" position. Two hands around the neck. The boxer must have thought all his Christmases had come at once. He could clearly see the unguarded ribs and stomach of his opponent. As he attempted to damage unguarded ribs, the knee of his opponent would crash home into his sternum. Over and over again this played out.
The rest of the fight continued with the boxer preparing to throw body shots but the Kickboxer slamming powerful knees home.

End result? Boxer disappointed in himself. And lost.
I don't blame him. The knock out he achieved in his first fight was something I will never forget.

The problem is sometimes old methods don't work in a new situation. The trick is to know when to let things go.
You see, some rules don't work forever. They have a use by date.
RIng rules and life rules.
So a question begs to be asked.
What are we holding on to that worked years ago but is now past its use by date?

I hope it doesn't take a knockout for me to see what needs dropping and what needs keeping.