I want to learn Sanshou for this exact reason-it looks cool. That, and I think learning how to fight is just pretty important in general.
If OP wants to be able to punch really well, boxing would do just fine. Punch and kick? Kickboxing (or Muay Thai, MMA, Sanshou, and probably plenty of others). I know less about grappling and wrestling, but there are plenty of Judo and Greco-Roman wrestling clubs around, which would probably make you a better fighter than most people you encounter on the street.
I want to learn Sanshou for this exact reason-it looks cool. That, and I think learning how to fight is just pretty important in general.
If OP wants to be able to punch really well, boxing would do just fine. Punch and kick? Kickboxing (or Muay Thai, MMA, Sanshou, and probably plenty of others). I know less about grappling and wrestling, but there are plenty of Judo and Greco-Roman wrestling clubs around, which would probably make you a better fighter than most people you encounter on the street.