I usually go as agressive and with as much power as I think I can get away with against my opponent. My reasoning is that I would be pretty embarressed if ALL my wins were obvious 100% counter/100% accuracy. I do agree though that it is becoming very risky to do as more and more people learn the game.
Maybe increasing the effects of landing higher power strikes would be a good reward? Also, maybe decreassing the defence bonus of going counter too? I mean, in real life, just standing there waiting to get hit is riksy as hell unless you are a SUPERB counter puncher and there aren't tons of SUPERB counter punchers in real life, unlike here.