How much clinching is excessive? What is the distinction with inside fighting?

[Rantcatrat]

Good points by all.

Holding to clear one's head shouldn't result in a point deduction. We can all agree on that, I believe. The issue becomes thornier when the fighter doing the holding does not appear to be hurt. Excessively using the tactic to slow and control the pace of the contest should warrant a point deduction. The question is where should we draw the line between strategy and excessiveness? Should ten initiated clinches by one boxer in a round be considered excessive? Is there a clean slate after each round? Should the opponent of the clincher, be required to show the referee, that he attempted to get out of the clinch, in order to have the referee take action?

Conversely, if the clinch occurs organically from the boxers' positioning and direction of punches thrown, shouldn't the fighters be permitted to fight out of it? For example, the Povetkin-Huck fight last weekend, where the Pabon too frequently broke it up as soon as the two boxers came close.

[Slim the BoxingManiac]

Clinching can be used as a tool effectively, but it shouldn't be used as a replacement for simply not having the ability to fight on the inside. Simple enough, right?

The referee should hardly have to step in, but in the case of the Alexander fight, points should have been docked.

[Spicoli]

I think there are cases of guys who use a clinch-hold as almost a third weapon. I have no problem with a guy clinching with one hand as long as he's using other to punch or has habit of punching out. Some of the best flurries come off a guy laying in and then busting of combos, punch and get out. Fast handed guys like Alexander and Berto come to mind as almost survivalist clinchers. They explode with one-twos and just as quick leap into a hold to break momentum or avoid return. With Berto its almost a panicky thing. Camacho became a master craftsman of clinching high and low the dude was nearly full ranked greco wrestler. Some perfected holds it and its not really a clean clinch. Hopkins can be as ugly as they come but he's a master at throw back guile and positioning to gain advantage, he'll hold an arm, turn to blindside and bang with the other hand.

[Slim the BoxingManiac]

Well, I have no problem with momentary clinching. Clinch and then move, pop some shots on your way out if you can. You shouldn't be holding on for dear life every time you fight anybody that has a decent inside game. The ref shouldn't even have to tell you to break it up.

[fan johnny]

Isn't this exactly why the ref has discretion. He has to make a judgement call as to weather or not the clinching is in fact excessive holding or not.

I don't agree that excessive holding should be allowed as a tactic to recover from a blow. Boxing is not the MMA.

[Gandalf]

Isn't this exactly why the ref has discretion. He has to make a judgement call as to weather or not the clinching is in fact excessive holding or not.

I don't agree that excessive holding should be allowed as a tactic to recover from a blow. Boxing is not the MMA.

Exactly, if you are hurt and you haven't learned to smart it out, then you deserve to be knocked out or have points taken when you clinch.

There is never an excuse to spoil a fight.

[Slim the BoxingManiac]

When I watched the Maidana vs. Alexander fight, I was so pissed off that I had to make a video about it.



I think that's the video, although I'm not sure.

Linked the wrong video.

This is the video I made immediately after the Alexander-Maidana fight.

[Majesty]

I think there's a difference between two boxers of around the same size and height clinching while still more or less trying to fight and when the clinches happen after an attack is launched, and a 6 ft 7 fighter constantly clinching a 6 ft 2 guy continually so much that it's basically their game plan.