Originally Posted by Michael Wright

Always happy to comment darrianation, and I think your post asks very good questions.

From a JKD/PFS background many a year has been spent hammering a fully padded guy in a motorbike helmet. This allows for your ultimate goal to materialise, i.e. to completely overwhelm the opponent as opposed to, as you rightly say, some form of tagging match.

On the other hand, the benefit I have found in the Boxing and Thai Boxing arena is that you are tested against a fully resisting, aggressive, skilfull opponent. You learn to appreciate that things don't always go your way, you learn how you respond when you get hit and hurt, and for me most importantly you learn to keep going when you are losing - a very important mindset for real life altercations.

So, to answer your question: experience both, appreciate both, and overcome both.