Is hugging your opponent becoming accepted in boxing?

[McNulty]

He didn't do exactly what Hatton does. Hatton will land a combo then get into a clinch then work to make an opening and then throw another combo. Williams would throw a flurry at an advancing Margarito then hold until the referee broke them. Six clinches a round is excessive, and it's very funny to see the comments on Williams' clinching by the same people who are Hatton's biggest detractors. Apparently it's OK to clinch if you would otherwise be disadvantaged. Whatever happened to boxing from the outside?

Williams does not hold and hit. He clinched cuz of his height. Guys that tall against shorter fighter shouldnt bob and weave...BOXING 101. He trew punches in the clinch and didnt wait to git broke up.

Check this thread out...

http://www.boxingscene.com/forums/showthread.php?t=130192

[satori555]

williams has a cool brawling style! if he was british thats what the brits would say.

[FeedMeHoney]

williams has a cool brawling style! if he was british thats what the brits would say.

In a country in which millions watch WWE, I thought Hatton's style would be lauded in the USA.

[jswa17]

It is frustrating watching fights where one man's plan is to tie up his opponent and nothing is done about it. Last night many of us predicted a victory for Williams. He has the skills, he's faster, and a good technical boxer. But for most of the fight he average 6 hugs (tie ups) per round. The referee warned him later in the fight but, even after a warning, no penalty was given to Williams for the continued holding. Ive yet to see a recent fight were a fighter gets penalized for holding. Add Williams to the Hatton, Ruiz, and Zahir Raheem club. It's easier to win a fight when you let your punches go and 90% of your defense is to tie up the other fighter and neutralize him completely

It's clearly stated in the boxing rule book that "excessive holding" is a foul.

But again, everyone has his own interpretation of the term "excessive."

[satori555]

hatton is a wwe fighter and someone needs to break a chair over his head

[squealpiggy]

anyone who says williams holds to much is a moron, especially squealpiggy

Thanks for that Einstein. The referee warned Williams a number of times for excessive holding. I suppose the referee is a moron.

Williams does not hold and hit. He clinched cuz of his height. Guys that tall against shorter fighter shouldnt bob and weave...BOXING 101

The generally accepted method for tall fighters to cope with shorter guys is to stick and move, not grab and hold. Williams looked very good when he jabbed and Margarito found it difficult to get close. Unfortunately Williams stopped sticking and moving and started holding a little in the first round and it became a feature of the fight.

Again I will point out the ridiculous notion that if Hatton does it it's UFC and if Williams or Hopkins do it it's part of the game and fighting smart.

[Peterp]

Im blown away that hugging was even an issue for Williams. He did as little as he possibly could !

Compare what he did to the likes of Hatton etc, geez, the ref was being really hard on Paul

[squealpiggy]

Rewatch the fight, at least half of his defense consisted of holding. At least someone like Hatton is looking for openings when he's in close, Williams was grabbing hold and waiting for the break.

[satori555]

Hatton Holds A Billion Times More Than Williams End Of Story Stop Trying To Make **** Up And Say He's Looking For Openings Or Something Totally Bull**** He's Looking To Clinch End Of Story

[squealpiggy]

Hatton Holds A Billion Times More Than Williams End Of Story Stop Trying To Make **** Up And Say He's Looking For Openings Or Something Totally Bull**** He's Looking To Clinch End Of Story

Hatton doesn't hold any more than Williams, and when he does he's on the offense, not just waiting for the referee to help him get back to where his natural advantages lie.