When Did Holding Become Big and Turn Into A Strategy?

[Yogi007]

The boxing commissions need to start enforcing holding rules the same across the board.

This aint like a strike zone in baseball. Its either holding is allowed or not.

The ref from Collazo-Berto had it right. Early warnings and even a point deduction can improve a fight drastically.

I agree.

The holding is one of the biggest reasons that boxing has lost so many fans over the years.Almost everyone that I know that has quit watching boxing, says that they got tired of all the hugging.

[brettWall]

Holding is not only becoming a strategy these days but a lifeline. It either indicates such fighter didn't train properly or just doesn't have enough skill to box. I would agree that holding is unavoidable on certain fights. It takes two to tango. In this case, Abril never even attempted to disengage and have to wait for the ref to break them. It's almost like a survival mechanism. He would clearly get outboxed without the clinching. It's a no brainer.

About time they addressed excessive holding and clinching. It should be a sport where the fittest survives.

[I Love Jesus!]

real question. I remember Ray Mancini a year or 2 ago saying the biggest difference between the guys of this era and the guys of his era is the in-fighting and holding. He said that no guys held when he was fighting. You had to learn how to be a good in-fighter.

Now he said that alot of guys hold and refs are a much bigger factor. He said that back in the day there would be hardly any clinches because guys would stay shoulder to shoulder and fight on the inside. Now they land shots and hold before someone can counter back or just hold on the inside period. Do you agree?

Another real question. How did you guys feel about Mosley vs Margarito? Shane used that as a tactic against Margarito too. It didnt stand out as much because Shane let his hands go alot and with bombs but he still held after every single combo and before the slow Margarito could get off.

Thats why I always tell people that Pac had a rougher time with Margarito and didnt stop him. Its because Shane held and Pac didnt. If Shane doesnt hold then he still wins but its a bit of a rougher fight and it might go the distance with Shane taking some punishment back in the process

I would say it became a strategy when jhon ruiz got KTFO by tua and came back holding in every fight and started winning with it. wish i could go back in time and kill him before he did it.

[WarMaidana]

holding is bull**** i just cant believe how so many guys are justifying it callign it a "brilliant strategy"

[I Love Jesus!]

Holding has always been a strategy. THeres also a difference between holding and clinching.

People have to realize that just because one guy is exciting and a brawler, doesnt mean his opponent has to fight his fight.

Also you do whatever the ref allows. If he's not calling holds, you hold. Its part of any game. It aint cheating unless you're caught. It might sound harsh but thats how it works

what is the difference between holding and clinching? There is a difference but i would like to hear the definition in your words.

[Verstyle]

Tyson did it after every combo in the 80s. He'd rest, let the ref break them and reset and do it all over again. Good strategy.

[goblin213]

People call it strategy or crafty when fighters they like do it. Or when the opponent of a fighter they hate does it.

[ИATAS]

you guys never watch old footage of boxing? hell, jack Johnson used to clinch all the time and obviously it was an effective strategy. clinching has always been apart of the game.

instead of whining about clinching you should focus on the guys who have NO IDEA how to deal with a clincher. you bring up margarito, rios and kirkland. its their own damn fault that they don't know how to deal with it. throw an uppercut against Molina when he's lunging in to clinch, step to the fuching side, push them off, etc. rios and margarito are one dimensional they have no other game plan. blame them for being so limited.

[DLT]

you guys never watch old footage of boxing? hell, jack Johnson used to clinch all the time and obviously it was an effective strategy. clinching has always been apart of the game.

instead of whining about clinching you should focus on the guys who have NO IDEA how to deal with a clincher. you bring up margarito, rios and kirkland. its their own damn fault that they don't know how to deal with it. throw an uppercut against Molina when he's lunging in to clinch, step to the fuching side, push them off, etc. rios and margarito are one dimensional they have no other game plan. blame them for being so limited.

C
I agree for the most part but some guys do take things too far. Just like the Klit's stiff arms an laying on guys

[sicko]

I seen holding and clinching in many of Jack Johnson highlights (from him as well as his opponents)

Clinching and holding has always been in boxing, only good boxers know how to work around it, while the rest of these BUMS are just allowing themselves to be clinch and waiting for the Ref to save them because they themselves really have no desire to fight inside

Today's fighters have no inside game what so ever, they can't fight inside so they are Clinching...AS WELL AS ALLOWING THEMSELVES TO BE CLINCHED so the ref can come and save them

do like Mayweather, stick that damn Elbow/Forearm right in their Damn Neck, so every time they reach in for that Clinch, they will be running right into a Elbow/Forearm, that is why he leaves that arm up, you can also get low and drop your shoulder right into their mid section and bump them off you...that is what Dawson was trying to do to B-Hop but B-Hop JUMPED ON HIS BACK and tried to hold on...it is ways to stop it and get away from Clinching...fighters today just have no skills so they don't know how to deal with it