I have also done both over the years and from a conditioning/preparation standpoint they're pretty equal if you do it right. Unfortunately for both sports, people don't train like they should. It makes me sick to see some of these so called "professional athletes" step into the boxing ring 30 plus lbs. overweight. If both competitors are equally skilled and conditioned, each sport is equally tough. No place to run, no place to hide. You either step up or get hurt physically and mentally. If the competitors are not equal, it could be worse.
I have also participated in the Firefighter Combat Challenge, which ESPN calls the "toughest two minutes in sports", and I'll have to agree. Full firefighting gear, breathing from an air bottle on your back, carry a 42lb hose bundle up a 5 story tower, hoist another 42lb hose roll up to the top of the tower, race back down the tower, use a 9lb mallet to drive a 160lb steel I-beam 5 feet, zigzag 140 feet between hydrants(they hurt when you miss the turn), pick up a charged hoseline(1.75" ID) and drag it 75', open the nozzle and strike a target, pick up a 175lb dummy and drag him backwards 100' to the finish line. No weight classes but they do break by age. World record time 1:19 by a FF from Kansas (OPFD). If it's ever in your area go out and give it a try, you'll see what I mean. I'm done!
