Is clinching excessively and using as a tactic considered cheating to you?

[Clyde Barrow]

Technically it's considered cheating since it's punishable by point deductions. The key word is excessively. In moderation, clinching is a part of boxing.

[SkillspayBills]

It's not cheating whatsoever. It's annoying, it's wrong but it's not cheating. I don't like making generalizations but anyone that says it's cheating has never been in a boxing ring before. It's like using your elbows, a little headbutt, or punching on the side when the ref says break it up, if you don't get caught doing it it isn't cheating. This isn't badmitten, this is boxing, it's rough, it's mean, it's unforgiving. That's why I ****ing love it. Edit, you said excessively, that changes it a bit. Used as a tactic it's fine but overly holding every damn second is cheating and punishible by as much.

[dcull111]

i would say the major problem with clinching is that referees are so inconsistent in their policing of it. i see it every friday night espn and sky sports. different referees have vastly different standards on what is acceptable.

then of course you have bad referees like joe cortez who have vastly different interpretations of the clinching rule depending on who's fighting. the guy let's certain fighters clinch all day and other fighters not clinch for even a second.

no-one will be happy until there is a standardised definition of what excessive clinching is...

[_original_]

If it's within the rules, then no....I would like to see more refs handing out point deductions for excessive clinching though

[Telepath]

Clinching is illegal.

[SoldierWarrior]

Technically it's considered cheating since it's punishable by point deductions. The key word is excessively. In moderation, clinching is a part of boxing.

Moderation is different, but I see some fighters get away with it too much. Clinching 15-25 times a round is excessive! Moderation or when you're hurt is more like 5-10 times!

[Calilloyd]

Slowing your opponents hand-speed down, slowing down the pace of the fight because you can't keep up with your opponents. Is it cheating to you? I know a fighter was dq'd for those type of tactics against Juan Manuel Marquez before.

Not only does it make most fights a bore to watch, but I consider it cheating.

No. Not if the ref breaks it. If the fighter continues after the ref tells them to break or excessively does it then they will probably lose points or get DQ'd anyway. Henry Akinwande style.

[20/20vision]

Clinching is illegal.

No, excessive clinching is illegal.

[el malo]

It's not cheating whatsoever. It's annoying, it's wrong but it's not cheating. I don't like making generalizations but anyone that says it's cheating has never been in a boxing ring before. It's like using your elbows, a little headbutt, or punching on the side when the ref says break it up, if you don't get caught doing it it isn't cheating. This isn't badmitten, this is boxing, it's rough, it's mean, it's unforgiving. That's why I ****ing love it.

there aint nothing mean or ruff about hugging your opponent to stop him from hitting you. but if your hurt and trying to survive its ok.

[SoldierWarrior]

Someone posted that Marquez fight before where the ref stopped the fight because the guy was clinching so much! Post it again! And I didn't even think that guy clinched nearly as half as some other boxers out there did! Maybe it wasn't ruled as a DQ, but it was ruled as something and the fight was stopped in the final round I believe.