I think the fight scenes in Batman were deliberately set up that way for a couple of reasons. A large proportion of the look, background and expanded origin was taken directly from Frank Miller's Year One and Dark Knight Returns. He deliberately put in a number of rapid, small panels each showing just one blow or hit to emphasise the speed and deadly accurary of Batman. That's why I think they went for that approach.

Well that, and the point that the film-makers still can't come up with a cowl that actually lets Batman turn his head. Hard to hide that in fight scenes. :D