Wlad Klitschko is a disgrace....and so is that Ref.

[Beanflicker]

it doesn't matter if he jabs more than he holds, holding isn't in the rules

Yeah but lets be real here, clinching is a HUGE part of boxing. In fact, there have been countless fighters throughout history who have been BASHED because they didn't know how to properly clinch and tie up an opponent when they needed to (Tommy Hearns springs to mind).

I'm not trying to defend Wlad's excessive holding, because it was just that: excessive. But he didn't do anything I haven't seen other world class vets like Floyd, BHop, Ali, ect doing before.

Also, I don't know why people are letting Povetkin skate on this. He was initiating plenty of holding in the mid and later rounds as he got tired.

[El Kabong]

I see none of the people yammering on about how important RULES are giving Anthony Joshua any grief over his holding and hitting


So what's the deal fellas, do you not care because he's British

[jon09]

It might not have been the best performance by Wlad but all the greats have had there fair share of stinkers as well. Tyson would hold alot especially in his later career as would Lewis who did the same tactics against Tua as well. Wlad is entitled to have stinkers now and again but with a record of 61-3- 53 kos and an iffy chin all the complainers will tune in to watch him again mark my words.

[ninjaspy3]

I'm supporting Erics on this one.

I try to be objective. There are fighters who sometimes do their fair share of holding or even "running" but it is usually done to make up for something they lack. Mayweather isn't a powerful puncher for example, and his opponents usually out weigh him. Andre Ward also doesn't have the power. Hopkins is old. But Wlad? Wlad is big, strong, has good reach, good speed, and good power, and is still young enough. His advantages FAR outweighed those of his opponent Povetkin. Wlad didn't need to hold because he had so many other physical advantages he could have used and it is frustrating to see him rely on clinching when he could have strategically taken a step or two back and pumped the jab more. Wlad didn't have all that much to fear from Povetkin's punch power as Povetkin is not a hard puncher. It was simply unnecessary and ruined a fight that Wlad could have won in exciting fasion. I mean, how many advatages does a guy need before he feels free to mix it up? Come on Wlad! Such a performance is beneath you and most of us realize this.

Goodness, I hope Wlad doesn't resort to this exessive clinching again or I'm going to lose hope.

[El Kabong]

If you want to call it boring call it boring fair enough, but enough of the "Well those were fouls" because if they're fouls now where were they during Lennox Lewis' reign?

[Rantcatrat]

If you want to call it boring call it boring fair enough, but enough of the "Well those were fouls" because if they're fouls now where were they during Lennox Lewis' reign?

Two wrongs don't make a right. Holding is a foul under the rules. Pabon dropped the ball last Saturday for allowing Wlad to do it all night. He should have stopped it earlier.

[El Kabong]

If you want to call it boring call it boring fair enough, but enough of the "Well those were fouls" because if they're fouls now where were they during Lennox Lewis' reign?

Two wrongs don't make a right. Holding is a foul under the rules. Pabon dropped the ball last Saturday for allowing Wlad to do it all night. He should have stopped it earlier.

They are fouls only if the ref calls them. Example, holding is a penalty that 100% of offensive linemen do 100% of the downs in football be it pro, college, high school, pee wee whatever....but the flag isn't thrown every single time. It all depends on what the refs are calling that given game.

[Memphis]

If you want to call it boring call it boring fair enough, but enough of the "Well those were fouls" because if they're fouls now where were they during Lennox Lewis' reign?

Lennox Lewis got his fair share of shit for hitting and holding when he did it. If it feels magnified in Wlads case thats because he does it a whole lot more.

I dont remember Lennox Lewis ever grabbing off a jab, or sometimes dispensing with the jab and just stumbling forward to grab a guy for no particular reason whatsoever.

[erics44]

If you want to call it boring call it boring fair enough, but enough of the "Well those were fouls" because if they're fouls now where were they during Lennox Lewis' reign?

this is true

and alis reign and everyone elses reign, holding has always been a foul

181 clinches in a 12 round fight, fuck me

[armin]

I'm supporting Erics on this one.

I try to be objective. There are fighters who sometimes do their fair share of holding or even "running" but it is usually done to make up for something they lack. Mayweather isn't a powerful puncher for example, and his opponents usually out weigh him. Andre Ward also doesn't have the power. Hopkins is old. But Wlad? Wlad is big, strong, has good reach, good speed, and good power, and is still young enough. His advantages FAR outweighed those of his opponent Povetkin. Wlad didn't need to hold because he had so many other physical advantages he could have used and it is frustrating to see him rely on clinching when he could have strategically taken a step or two back and pumped the jab more. Wlad didn't have all that much to fear from Povetkin's punch power as Povetkin is not a hard puncher. It was simply unnecessary and ruined a fight that Wlad could have won in exciting fasion. I mean, how many advatages does a guy need before he feels free to mix it up? Come on Wlad! Such a performance is beneath you and most of us realize this.

Goodness, I hope Wlad doesn't resort to this exessive clinching again or I'm going to lose hope.

God to agree with this but wlad just wants the w and who can blame him, if the ref had done his job and dogged a point or two by round five I don't think povetkin sees the 8th because wlad would know he's close to a dq and fight the way he actually can, but he's gona do what he's gona do if nobody does anything about it, wlads job is to win the refs job is to enforce the rules and he utterly failed.

[imp]

We just need to realise that you cant just change anyones style.

The style wlad has is obviously working for him as getting into a fight is his greatest weakness.

Some styles are exciting, some styles are agressive and some styles involve alot of showboating.etc

Wlads style is none of these because of the mental bruising of the KO he suffered and would rather play it safe till the rnd if his career.

I cant sit through all of his fights as I cant stay awake but he is doing one thing right and thats winning.

[erics44]

We just need to realise that you cant just change anyones style.

The style wlad has is obviously working for him as getting into a fight is his greatest weakness.

Some styles are exciting, some styles are agressive and some styles involve alot of showboating.etc

Wlads style is none of these because of the mental bruising of the KO he suffered and would rather play it safe till the rnd if his career.

I cant sit through all of his fights as I cant stay awake but he is doing one thing right and thats winning.

some styles are within the rules and some styles aren't, and some styles are against the rules to the extreme and don't resemble boxing at all

that last one is like wlads style only wlads style is worse