Is clinching really that bad?

[LoadedWraps]

It seems to me that there are two schools of thought when it comes to fouling in boxing. One is that fouling/cheating is an offense that should be punished, and that fighters who abuse lax referring are cheaters. The other is that fouling is simply a part of the sport - a tactic - and that fighters who abuse lax refereeing are skilled tacticians.

The funny thing is that many of the people who love to call boxing the 'sweet' science, and to distinguish it from other combat sports by virtue of its controlled nature, are the same ones who support and defend fighters who clinch and headbutt. More importantly, they do not seem to have a problem with referees who allow this to go on.

Whether it's Salido cheating the scales and throwing **** shots, or Margarito loading his gloves, or Klitschko clinching and ****ing with the ring/gloves...people seem divided. For some this is just the smart thing to do, for others it ruins the sport.

So is clinching really that bad? I think it and other fouls should be called the same way as holding is in the NFL. Technically you could call it on every play, but it is so widespread that the refs usually only call blatant ones.

The problem with boxing is that blatant fouling is rarely called. For boxing to really be a sweet science you have to enforce the rules that make it different from UFC.

In short, yes.

The only time it's really acceptable is if you are literally out on your feet and in survival mode and about to go down.

I have been boxing for exactly 10 years now, and have actually never clinched in my life. I will box my way out of anything. If I can't, I jump on my bicycle, or I am going to go down, which actually has never happened either.

For one, you open yourself up in a bad way trying to grab your opponent. You sacrifice defense, balance, and respect.

Two, why on earth would you elect to grab and hold over stiff arming a jab for distance, or even letting off a shoeshine of punches on the inside?

I mean, seriously. Clinching doesn't even enter my mind in the ring. It's all about movement and throwing for both offense and defense. Clinching to me is time wasted that could be put to better use either landing shots, or relocating strategically to a different part of the ring.



So to all you cats who like to come back with stuff like "easy to say from your computer / do you even lace em up", I do, and I clinch never. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[Elroy The Great]

a person will get away with whatever they can. thats just the facts of life. its not the boxers job to ref the fight. in fact, as a fan, i get pissed off when i see guys complaining. if the ref is allowing one **** to foul, he must be letting everyone foul. let the ref do his job.

like the ref says, obey his commands. if he doesnt command a guy to stop holding or other fouls, again, do that shlt right back.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

It seems to me that there are two schools of thought when it comes to fouling in boxing. One is that fouling/cheating is an offense that should be punished, and that fighters who abuse lax referring are cheaters. The other is that fouling is simply a part of the sport - a tactic - and that fighters who abuse lax refereeing are skilled tacticians.

The funny thing is that many of the people who love to call boxing the 'sweet' science, and to distinguish it from other combat sports by virtue of its controlled nature, are the same ones who support and defend fighters who clinch and headbutt. More importantly, they do not seem to have a problem with referees who allow this to go on.

Whether it's Salido cheating the scales and throwing **** shots, or Margarito loading his gloves, or Klitschko clinching and ****ing with the ring/gloves...people seem divided. For some this is just the smart thing to do, for others it ruins the sport.

So is clinching really that bad? I think it and other fouls should be called the same way as holding is in the NFL. Technically you could call it on every play, but it is so widespread that the refs usually only call blatant ones.

The problem with boxing is that blatant fouling is rarely called. For boxing to really be a sweet science you have to enforce the rules that make it different from UFC.

If a guy is getting murdered and holds, fine. I get it.

Otherwise, no. he should be penalized just like with excessive low blows or anything else. Clinching more than once when not hurt should get a warning. Clinching again should mean a point. Another clinch and another point. After three or four, DQ. It's a disruption and if you have to hug your opponent all night, you shouldn't be in there. Same thing with all other fouls as well. I like Wlad, but his clinching has gotten to be ridiculous because it's been allowed. It has to stop to give credibility to the sport.

[Tony Trick-Pony]

In short, yes.

The only time it's really acceptable is if you are literally out on your feet and in survival mode and about to go down.

I have been boxing for exactly 10 years now, and have actually never clinched in my life. I will box my way out of anything. If I can't, I jump on my bicycle, or I am going to go down, which actually has never happened either.

For one, you open yourself up in a bad way trying to grab your opponent. You sacrifice defense, balance, and respect.

Two, why on earth would you elect to grab and hold over stiff arming a jab for distance, or even letting off a shoeshine of punches on the inside?

I mean, seriously. Clinching doesn't even enter my mind in the ring. It's all about movement and throwing for both offense and defense. Clinching to me is time wasted that could be put to better use either landing shots, or relocating strategically to a different part of the ring.



So to all you cats who like to come back with stuff like "easy to say from your computer / do you even lace em up", I do, and I clinch never. Put that in your pipe and smoke it.

[Doctor_Tenma]

Clinching just to spoil and prevent action is terrible and fighters who do so excessively should be penalized.

I don't mind clinching when it's used to muscle and work inside. Clinching is a vital aspect of skilled inside fighting. It is used to maneuver, gain leverage, push fighters back, neutralize their own infighting, and set up your punches.

Unfortunately, few fighters clinch with intention to fight. They grab and hold and ****** because they're scared to death of getting punched.

The issue is people can't even see the bold, it's so simplistic to them where they detest clinching entirely.

[sicko]

If you don't convert it to Inside Work then YES, YES IT IS!

Clinching when you're in trouble no problem, clinching then releasing and working on the inside like Hopkins, Hatton, Ward no problem for me at least but it is guys who Clinch and hold on for dear life until the ref come

Lydell Rhodes is the absolutely WORSE at this, Mickey Bey as well, no question it is some guys who know they're going to lose so they purposely stick up the fight with a lot of Grabbing just to make it to the finish line. But for ME at least if you get inside to get position and you release before the ref break and you work on the inside...NO PROBLEM AT ALL!

One of my favorite ever Roberto Duran, had a Masterful Inside Game! Yes he clinched a bit but he would then release and WORK! But I get it some people are younger and haven't been watching boxing long and they think that the Clinch comes from Andre Ward or something

The Clinch goes WAY BACK to Jack Johnson ERA and during that ERA ref did not break, guys was FORCED to fight out from the Clinch Position.

The Solution to clinches is really not that hard, how about having a strong inside game? If You Clinched Duran or Frazier in their Prime they made you pay for it but now people want the Ref ALONE to do something about Clinching lol

[Doctor_Tenma]

If you don't convert it to Inside Work then YES, YES IT IS!

Clinching when you're in trouble no problem, clinching then releasing and working on the inside like Hopkins, Hatton, Ward no problem for me at least but it is guys who Clinch and hold on for dear life until the ref come

Lydell Rhodes is the absolutely WORSE at this, Mickey Bey as well, no question it is some guys who know they're going to lose so they purposely stick up the fight with a lot of Grabbing just to make it to the finish line. But for ME at least if you get inside to get position and you release before the ref break and you work on the inside...NO PROBLEM AT ALL!

One of my favorite ever Roberto Duran, had a Masterful Inside Game! Yes he clinched a bit but he would then release and WORK! But I get it some people are younger and haven't been watching boxing long and they think that the Clinch comes from Andre Ward or something

The Clinch goes WAY BACK to Jack Johnson ERA and during that ERA ref did not break, guys was FORCED to fight out from the Clinch Position.

The Solution to clinches is really not that hard, how about having a strong inside game? If You Clinched Duran or Frazier in their Prime they made you pay for it but now people want the Ref ALONE to do something about Clinching lol

You got two on this thread who disapprove of it entirely, and yet they have Duran avatars

And well said on the second bold, shoot man great post!

[Dean_Razorback]

clinching should be penalized with death

[Mr.Fantastic]

It is. People actually call it skills/crafty. My view is that the boxer can't box out of that situation so they try to clinch. Real boxers don't rely on clinching.

[ramses07]

clinching sometimes prevents epic moments in fights....

for example when sergio martinez vs chavez jr in the 12th round, maravilla refused to clinched and elected to fight which was great

another example, pac-jmm 4, 4th or 5th round marquez was stunned pretty badly but fought out of it

imagine if jmm or sergio martinez clinched, it would've ruined those rounds