Counter punching is so effective because they are committed with no escape.
The best type is used when their own arm or shoulder is the cover that your shot comes out from behind to catch them with the unseen punch.

I think the highest level of boxing or anything, is becoming nothing, no thoughts just totally in the zone action and reaction,its like you are the witness and the supplier of the moves but its coming from much deeper than any thoughts. Thought then gets in the way of instinct and will slow you down.