We all know that it is further from full on fighting than MMA. We all also know that MMA is still sport fighting with rules. In reality, its just a difference in agreed upon rules, none of them are the real thing.
I dont think boxing is any less of a contact sport, in fact it might be more of one. It doesnt incorporate any resistance or much lower body strength (strength,not power), and it drives me crazy when the ref breaks up clinches, but in the end, it is simply a different set of agreed upon rules in the world of controlled sportfighting. It is not lightyears from MMA, unless both are lightyears from real fighting.
It was not until Conor got iced by that other mouthy guy that this even became a thing to talk about. Akin to Nate Diaz never being considered a huge welterweight until he choked Conor out.
Some of you guys need to pull your dicks out in front of the mirror and say, “It is what it is, and I am what I am, and goldarnit, I can get by like this.”