Quote Originally Posted by Hulk
First off there ain't no such thing as "tactical holding", that's a fukin joke.
I beg to differ. Based on what I've seen in the ring, it's apparent that Emanuel Steward has for years been teaching many of his taller outside boxers to only tie up inside. He did it with Thomas Hearns, Hilmer Kenty, Lennox Lewis and most recently with Wladimir Klitschko. Mark my words: He will do it again with Jermain Taylor. Personally I don't like it since it takes away from the entertainment of boxing and rewards guys who can't (or won't) fight on the inside, but as Lennox Lewis once said, when asked about a different illegal ring tactic "Go ahead and do it until the referee warns you." If a guy has a weak chin or can't defend inside without holding, then Steward's coaching makes sense even if boxing fans end up frustrated (like me!). Personally I think that holding is a sad and loathesome substitute for genuine infighting skills (both offence and defence) but it will be part of boxing until the day arrives when referees seriously clamp down on it.