I'll get to work on that as soon as he gets back from China.

I hear what you're saying about sparring.
Myself and a good friend spar regularly and often before hand we say "we'll take it easy." Whether it be competitivness or just pressure we always end up tired out and battered afterward.
Its just a natural progression when your opposed by a physical challenge.

I think that also supports the theory that you should spar with your own weight alone.

I spar a lot of bigger guys and although I'm seriously proud of my chin I've been hurt on more than one occasion.