If rules against excessive clinching/holding were actually enforced. . .

[Rath]

then there will be no sweet science.

Sweet science = running

Slipping and sliding is not

Sweet science = ducking way below the belt line

bobbing and weaving is not

Sweet science = clinching and hugging

blocking and parrying is not

Floyd fans logic

[Tony Trick-Pony]

They should definitely enforce the rules, which ought to go without saying. The outcome would be these guys would run and try every other tactic but would have less chance of winning. In his fight with Povetkin, Wlad would have been in much more dangerous waters which would have made the fight a lot more entertaining. Ward's fight with Kessler would have been much more interesting, with Kessler coming out on top I think.

[jqSide]

It's hard to enforce. Best thing is not do anything if you're the ref. Let them get booed, pelted with food, you name it.

It's also up to the one getting clinched. Fans should expect them to fight dirty, employ rabbit punches, head butt, you name it.

[ReIoaded]

What I don't understand is... how the boxing fans who think they have a superior boxing IQ because they admire the hugging and clinching techniques, hate the UFC which is the ultimate form of clinching and hugging in combat sports.

It is also strange that boxers like Floyd, Ward and Wlad clinch more in their matches than "wrestlers" do in WWE. Pro wrestling uses less clinches in a whole wrestle mania than 12 rounds of a Mayweather , Ward or Wlad fight.

[Publius]

It's hard to enforce. Best thing is not do anything if you're the ref. Let them get booed, pelted with food, you name it.

It's also up to the one getting clinched. Fans should expect them to fight dirty, employ rabbit punches, head butt, you name it.

Except "dirty" tactics used to break clinches are much more likely to be punished than clinching itself.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

Except "dirty" tactics used to break clinches are much more likely to be punished than clinching itself.

I agree. That is playing into the clincher's hands. The ref should enforce the rules. It is not complicated. It is their job.

[Jc8804]

There should a boxing ref tv show. Refs should be graded like NFL refs.

There should be Boxing ref camp in which all refs enforce train and learn the same rules.

[Publius]

They should definitely enforce the rules, which ought to go without saying. The outcome would be these guys would run and try every other tactic but would have less chance of winning. In his fight with Povetkin, Wlad would have been in much more dangerous waters which would have made the fight a lot more entertaining. Ward's fight with Kessler would have been much more interesting, with Kessler coming out on top I think.

I was thinking of the Kessler fight too. It's really what turned me off Ward as a fighter, and I don't know that people remember it. Especially his fans. It's just seen as another "W" but it's a perfect example of what makes his style so offputting.

There should a boxing ref tv show. Refs should be graded like NFL refs.

There should be Boxing ref camp in which all refs enforce train and learn the same rules.

Well, there's simply no incentive to do this. Boxing is inherently disorganised and corrupt. The best you could hope for I suppose is individual governing organisations deciding to change their ways but I don't see why they would.

[boliodogs]

I wish the rules were enforced. Especially the rule against holding and hitting. Wlad holds too much but he doesn't hold and hit. Ward, Mayweather and some others hold with one hand and hit with the other. Some of them won't even throw a punch until they grabbed their opponent first. Hatton was a terrible hold and hit guy. He would grab the opponent first and then start punching while holding. I hate this type of fighting. It's against the rules but some referees don't enforce the rules. Broner did some god awful holding in his fights with Porter and Maidana. He couldn't block or slip or counter their punches so he held their arms for dear life like a damn octopus. The ref should have made him stop and deducted points if he didn't stop the excessive holding. Mares got away with way too much holding in his fight with Santa Cruz. Holding is not fighting.

[One-Time]

If the rules were actually enforced with penalty, then boxing would become a joke.

Boxing is about not getting hit more than it is about actually hitting. Hugging as a self defense technique is the bread and butter of scientific pugilism. It is the heart and soul of the sweet science.

Hugging and clinching should actually be rewarded. Boxing needs to purge itself of fans who desire action and excitement. We need to liberate boxing of it's fake fans and reward cash bonuses for hugging and clinching as a form of defensive wizardry would be the perfect start

wtf dude are you smoking