Early boxing infighting question for those who practice MMA

i prefer punches but only because i have boxed before, most lads are straight up with the knees

shooting for a TD in the clinch is dodgy because of the threat of a knee coming up, simpler thing is to push up one of your opponents elbows and move to that side of his body, leading you to have options of a simple leg trip and takedown or if your really good a standing arm triangle