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

[jqSide]

Furthermore, this thread is about excessive clinching, which is not a fair portrayal of Mayweather's style, even this older version. Even when he's used it strategically, he's nowhere near the level of a Ward, Hopkins, or Wlad.

[Publius]

Very good point. I imagine in several other countries it is not tolerated like it is here and obviously in Europe. For the fans' sake, this crap needs to stop. It makes for boring fights which turns fans off. Sorry, but the "boxing purists" don't provide enough support to keep the sport going. We need casual fans to thrive.

I don't buy the idea that clinching/holding is an example of "boxing purity". In fact I think it is rather the opposite. Outboxing? Sure. Good footwork? Sure. Clinching? No, it's just a questionable tactic.

[Publius]

tags: "andre ward > white boys , andre ward beats whitey"

lmao @ the angry Ward fan.

No need to hide in the tags section friend. Come on out and defend your fighter. Surely you are capable of justifying his fighting style?

[daggum]

nothing wrong with breaking the rules hundreds of times during a fight. it doesn't effect the outcome of the fight in any way.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

I don't buy the idea that clinching/holding is an example of "boxing purity". In fact I think it is rather the opposite. Outboxing? Sure. Good footwork? Sure. Clinching? No, it's just a questionable tactic.

Outboxing seems to go hand in hand with it in most cases. Wlad does it and he boxes on the outside. Ward definitely does it and boxes on the outside. If you are an outside boxer, you typically clinch when an opponent gets too close. Not always the case, but I'd definitely say 75% of the time.

[Doctor_Tenma]

tags: "andre ward > white boys , andre ward beats whitey"

lmao @ the angry Ward fan.

No need to hide in the tags section friend. Come on out and defend your fighter. Surely you are capable of justifying his fighting style?

I strongly doubt thats coming from Ward fans, strongly.

[Publius]

I strongly doubt thats coming from Ward fans, strongly.

Doesn't matter I guess. The tags section is always funny as **** haha

[-Hyperion-]

if you need the ref to be good, you're not. Simple as. I always say look at Berto-Collazo and Berto-Forbes....Against Collazo, Berto was forced to fight because he couldn't just hug every time he wanted after he was getting his ass beat early and got deducted, he actually had to dig deep and showed his heart. Against lil' ass Forbes, he was actually getting hit clean early until he decided to just hug the smaller man and tire him out, punch after the break, clinch, repeat....

[Joey_Torreo]

. . . then fighters like Mayweather, Ward, and Klitschko might not be stars. Their fans need to accept that their strategy is premised, almost in its entirely, on the ability to clinch/hold at will. Now there's nothing inherently wrong with this - boxers will do whatever is necessary to win if they are allowed to do it.

But don't act shocked when people say they aren't fans of that style. It's not because they have good footwork and defence that their styles are hated. It's because they rely on a questionable tactic and friendly refereeing. It's perfectly reasonable to take issue with that.

What are your thoughts? What would happen were these rules to be strictly enforced?

Ward is not a star

[GOD-FR33]

Good thread.....

Good thread for once. It should result in point deductions but hardly ever do. Floyd is the master of winning fights without actually having to fight much. That's because he OWNS Vegas. FACT. I think Maidana wins the first fight if the rules were enforced. I think the rematch would've been fun to watch. I think Manny would've really beat his ass and bloodied him up. In the case of WLAD.......Smh. It's SAD and embarrassing to see a man that large, rely on clinching and illegal tactics so much to win fights. This is why boxing is a joke and no one takes it seriously anymore. Whatever happened to defending from the pocket? Slipping shots without moving and then firing back??? That's what Whitaker used to do. But Floyd is a better defensive fighter???? Hahahaha!!!!!!!!! Toney was also a good pocket defender. SRL was also another great pocket fighter. He could beat you up without even moving.